The 2018 Titans offense was not one of the high-scoring units that sparked discussion about the rapid evolution of offensive football in the NFL.Tennessee ranked 27th in points and 25th in yards during Matt LaFleur’s first and only year as their offensive coordinator LeShaun Sims Jersey , but that didn’t dissuade the Packers from hiring him as their head coach. It didn’t hurt that LaFleur had been with one of those high-powered offenses with the Rams in 2017, but there were things about 2018 that also appealed to the team.Packers president Mark Murphy said the team was impressed with how LaFleur adapted to injuries, including multiple absences from starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, and LaFleur said the experience was a necessary one.“I needed to challenge myself,” LaFleur said, via the team’s website. “It would have been easy to stay in L.A. You look at the roster Tajae Sharpe Jersey , you look at the success they’re having this year. I took the risk because I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone and grow as a coach. The lessons I learned this year, I learned football is not easy. You’d better navigate through some adversity, and I was proud of that.”The hope in Green Bay is that LaFleur will be able to do more than make the most out of adverse situations, but it was clear on Wednesday that the team liked the fact that he was able to do that when his job required him to do it. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans limited Marcus Mariota at practice Thursday and gave more work to backup Blaine Gabbert, and coach Mike Vrabel says they want to evaluate which quarterback will give them the best chance against the Houston Texans.Mariota practiced fully Wednesday after an injured elbow knocked him out of Tennessee’s 27-20 opening loss in Miami Quinton Spain Jersey , and Vrabel said the quarterback should play Sunday in the home opener barring any setbacks.On Thursday, Mariota’s snaps were pared back, leaving him limited in practice.Vrabel said Mariota remains the starter.“That could change,” Vrabel said. “We’ll see where things go here as we get closer to game day.”Two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan remained at home for a second straight day in the concussion protocol, and the Titans hope to re-evaluate him Friday. Right tackle Jack Conklin did not practice Thursday after being limited since being removed from the physically unable to perform list at the end of the preseason.Dennis Kelly, who started in Conklin’s place in the opener Taylor Lewan Jersey , did not practice Thursday because of illness. Cornerback Kenneth Durden also was added to the injury report with a hamstring that limited him.The Titans got some good news with a pair of rookie linebackers practicing fully. Rookie linebacker Harold Landry was back after missing Wednesday’s session, and Rashsan Evans practiced for a second straight day. Evans, the 22nd pick overall, said he expects to play Sunday after missing the opener and all four preseason games.Linebacker Derrick Morgan also practiced fully after being limited.Wide receiver Corey Davis was limited a second straight day with a hamstring, but he told reporters before practice that his hamstring was just fine.
Soooo Mike Alstott Jersey , who’s ready for the bye week?I certainly need a week off after that excuse for a football game. From the moment that both teams took the field, the Bucs had no chance to win. Now they get two weeks to try and figure out what went wrong and how to stop it. No one wants to relive this past Sunday, but we are going to do so one more time in this week’s final grades. OffenseEasily the worst offensive performance of the season, Tampa Bay couldn’t get anything going outside of a couple of big passes to DeSean Jackson and one touchdown drive in the fourth quarter after they were already down 45-3.It was a shell of the offensive powerhouse we had seen over the last two and a half games. Now, a lot of that has to do with the Bears’ defensive excellence, but it also feels like Tampa Bay didn’t make the necessary corrections after their loss to the Steelers.Questionable calls such as the decision to pull Ali Marpet in order to block him one-on-one surrounded the coaching staff. The result of the play was an interception after Mack destroyed Marpet and was able to hit Jameis Winston’s arm as he threw the ball, causing the ball to flutter in the air. The Bucs couldn’t get a ground attack going for the third straight game. They only converted 33% of their red zone trips. For the second straight week, they were negated in the turnover department. These were all issues that cropped up against the Steelers and then magnified by the Bears. Brian Baldinger does a great job breaking down Tampa Bay’s ineptitude on offense with a good mix of when the Bears’ defense was responsible for blowing up plays. I highly recommend you give it a watch.It was an all-out catastrophe that took a group effort on Sunday.If this offense continues to perform like this, then it’s going to be a very long season. Final Grade: 0.0 (F)DefenseDid you watch the game? If you weren’t able to, did you look at the score?This isn’t lazy writing, this is pure honesty. Tampa Bay’s defense was garbage in every facet of the game. That’s all you need to know. Final Grade: 0.0 (F)Special TeamsWhen the special teams got their chance to play, they did well. Catanzaro made all of his kicks for the second straight week. Even though he only had two opportunities, each made kick is a boost of confidence. Two of his three kickoffs went for touchbacks, as well. Do I dare say he is becoming - gasp - reliable?The coverage units did a very good job, but the return game lacked for the second straight week. Not that it will lose you games, but the Bucs need to find some sort of spark in that area in case they run into another trap like they did in Chicago. Bryan Anger had a decent day, averaging a net 40 on his punts John Lynch Jersey , but he still has a long way to go if he wants to break into the top ten. Final Grade: 3.0 (B)CoachingDirk Koetter said it best after the game that he thought everyone on the staff should be fired, starting with himself. This staff - especially the offensive side - got off to a pretty good start for the first two games of the season, but it seems like now they are right back where they left off in 2017. Mike Smith’s scheme is terrible and needs to be fixed. What’s even worse is that the players seem like they don’t even know what the hell is going on most of the time. There were at least four blown coverages against the Bears.Is there any hope left for Mike Smith?Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsThe offense, while still the backbone, has now struggled for six of the last eight quarters. Todd Monken and Koetter must find ways to elevate the offense. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. They will get an extra week to regroup and try to fix the issues this team currently has. What will be even more telling is what happens in Atlanta next weekend. If the Bucs blow this game in the usual fashion that has been witnessed over the past two and a half years, then there may be some major shakeups sooner rather than later. Final Grade: 0.0 (F)Overall Grade: 0.75 (F)Without a doubt, this is the lowest grade I’ve given in two seasons of writing for SB Nation. This was one of the worst games for the Bucs in recent memory and there have been a ton of bad ones to recount. Bad coaching, a lack of execution, and miscommunication all played a pivotal role in an embarrassing loss. There was a lot riding on this game. If you’re a fan, you have to be wondering about whether this team really wants it or not after watching them play like this after a tough loss. Overall Grade For The 2018 Season: 2.38 (C) Dirk Koetter chose to start Ryan Fitzpatrick a week after another loss ridden with turnovers amidst a media wide consensus that Jameis Winston should be starting against the Giants. The result? Fitzpatrick turns the ball over even more and Jameis Winston comes in and leads the team to 4 straight touchdown drives, albeit with some luck, and ends it with a Hail Mary attempt that went for an interception, fitting given this seasons path. After a 3 point offensive performance a week ago, Dirk gave back the play calling to Todd Monken and while way late, the team put up 35 points adding to another question that will ultimately go unanswered in a season full of questionable head coaching decisions. Not all was bad in yesterday’s loss and we’ll try and touch it all in this reaction piece, starting with the offense. A tale of two quarterbacks and when you have two, you really have none. Jameis Winston deserves a lot of blame for this quarterback carousel because ultimately it all started because of his suspension that stemmed from poor decisions made quite some time ago http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-chandler-catanzaro-jersey , nevertheless it began with him. Ryan Fitzpatrick came out on fire through two games and while the yards have always been there, the turnovers that have designated him a backup finally came to the forefront and simply haven’t left. Jameis Winston got his chance and screwed it royally. Fitzpatrick came out and two weeks in a row bombed, thus here we are again with Jameis coming off the bench, playing fairly well and we should see Jameis the rest of the way this season. Focusing on the positive, Jameis Winston came in and led the team to 4 straight touchdowns on offense including 2 touchdown passes. Jameis did end the game with a last ditch Hail Mary effort that was picked off while targeting DeSean Jackson but ultimately Jameis played more than well enough to start next weeks match-up at home against the 49ers. Winston wasn’t without error when he came in as he did have some errant throws but that aside, Winston looked much more comfortable than he did in his last game behind center. Peyton Barber had himself a ballgame while splitting reps with Jacquizz Rodgers. Barber passed the century mark as well as got into the end zone in Sunday’s match-up. Barber broke off a great 28 yard run in this ball game and punched it in from 5 yards out for his touchdown. Rodgers carried 3 times for 15 yards in the ball game with 11 of those yards coming from his best run of the day. Rodgers wasn’t able to haul in any of his 3 targets while Barber caught 2 of his 3 targets for 4 yards. Barber had an incredible game overall totaling 106 yards on only 18 carries. With Barber playing quite well of late, one has to wonder if the team starts to lean a bit more heavily on Barber against the 49ers. The receiving core came out and was led by the familiar faces of Mike Evans and O.J. Howard. The two combined for 198 yards in the ball game and caught 11 of their 13 targets. DeSean Jackson was utilized more often on the field but it didn’t translate into much as he caught 4 of 7 targets for 38 yards. Winston connected on a deep ball to Mike Evans for a 41 yard touchdown score to bring the Bucs to within 3 points of the Giants. The offensive line played poorly for the second week in a row and frankly it’s been this way all season long. Benenoch again was abused regularly and in particularly on a 4 and 1 sneak attempt where he was stood up at the line. On that same QB sneak attempt, Demar Dotson was non existent as his man beat him to the inside. At the other tackle spot, Donovan Smith had his usual up and down day where he dominated one snap then took the next few off. Barber was hit for a big loss thanks to a D. Smith gaff at the line that stood out when watching. The pass protection was rough but kudos should be given as a whole to the units run blocking that opened up some lanes for Peyton Barber. Jason Pierre-Paul came to play while those other 10 guys hung out. Simple as that, Jason Pierre-Paul came to get down, finishing with 7 combined tackles and a sack and a half against his former team. Carl Nassib put in some work of his own totaling 6 tackles and a half sack. Gerald McCoy notched himself 4 tackles and a sack. Vita Vea? Absent from the stat sheet and did nothing to help plug the run defense up as Saquon Barkley ran all over this defense to the tune of 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That other interior addition? Beau Allen? No help there in stopping the run either. For a team that was built on Mike Smith’s theory of stopping the run first, this team couldn’t stop anyone the Giants ran at them. On the day, the Giants ran for 5.5 yards a carry. The linebacker group was arguably the biggest disappointment on the day but this was to be expected with the big three all out in Kwon Alexander, Lavonte David and Kendell Beckwith. With low expectations already set, the unit underwhelmed even at that combining for 10 tackles as safeties and defensive lineman led the way in tackles. This team is in big trouble every game played without any of their big three backers. Defensive backs... not sure where to start and rather than wasting breath on this unit we can look at one stat line, 17/18. That there is Eli Manning’s completion/pass attempts. One incomplete pass and another day with zero defensive turnovers. Safety Isiah Johnson struggled on the day giving up a touchdown to Odell Beckham Jr. and was late to his spot on another deep pass to Beckham Jr. Johnson did lead the team in tackles along with running mate Jordan Whitehead. Of note, it’s never a good thing when the two leading tacklers on the team are the safeties. Again Womens Mike Evans Jersey , where were the linebackers in this game? Special teams finally weren’t a liability, thank you Santos. The Buccaneers finally did the right thing and got a new kicker. Cairo Santos banged in all 5 extra points and while he didn’t attempt a field goal, it sure felt like a small victory seeing kicks appear automatic for once. Dare Ogunbowale had 7 kick off returns for 137 yards with a long of 25. Anger had one punt that went for 44 yards. Final Reactions. Dirk Koetter has made some very poor decisions by my count this season that have led to a lot of the turmoil surround this team. From keeping a close friend at defensive coordinator in the middle of a historically bad run, challenging unchallengable calls in game, flip flopping quarterbacks with seemingly different standards, taking away play calling from the greatest offensive start in history by Monken to giving it back a week later after the offense fell on its own face... there’s a lot of blame to go there. The players deserve a ton of blame too. Turnovers can be increased due to more volatility in the play calling, which is a factor here in Tampa, but quarterbacks can also make better decisions, which outs in Tampa Bay have not. The defense can absolutely be better with better execution and discipline. The team hasn’t given up on their coach or one another based on the in game effort, but the message from this head coach doesn’t seem to be getting through to the players one bit. Dirk Koetter doesn’t have the answer, he’s admitted as much, it’s time for a change after this season and the only question surrounding that is who that change will be. Until then, Go Bucs.
A trade down could be a real possibility"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 49ers Salary CapLevi’s Stadium Events49ers Transactions49ers Injury News49ers Press Conferences & Conference CallsNFL Draft2019 NFL Draft: 49ers picks Jerry Rice Jersey White , mock drafts, news, rumors, analysisGiants impressed with Haskins; What it means for the 49ersNew,279commentsA trade down could be a real possibility PDTShareTweetShareShareGiants impressed with Haskins; What it means for the 49ersKirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsRumors are flying all over the place. At first, the Giants weren’t interested at all in Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins. A week later, and it’s “don’t believe the smoke screens. No team has done more homework on Haskins than the Giants.” That would be very good news for the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants own the sixth overall pick. After trading Odell Beckham Jr., they now own the 17th overall pick. I don’t know what the additional compensation would be, but for this let’s just say the 49ers now are sitting at six and 17 after making the trade. This could be exactly what John Lynch was talking about when he mentioned free agency set the team up for the draft. This opens a whole new can of worms that we weren’t expecting to talk about.At six you can all but kiss Quinnen Williams goodbye. You’re likely looking at Rashan Gary out of Michigan, Montez Sweat of Mississippi State, Ed Oliver of Houston, and Brian Burns of Florida State. That’s just the guys on the defensive line that are floating around pick six in mock drafts. Down to 17, and it’s take your pick. Any safety you want will be there. I’m not sure there’s a receiver worth it there. Especially with what Shanahan is capable of. If the team is to pull the trigger on this trade, I’d double down on defense. Whether that’s pass rush, safety, corner, just bring good players to the defense and figure it out later. That extra first might be too tempting to pass up. What do you think? We’re going to look at departures from each position prior to Week 1 of the 2018 season and see how they fared after leaving the San Francisco 49ers. Some players went on to better careers, while others may be out of the league. We won’t be highlighting every transaction, just some notable ones. Today, we look at the offensive line.The 49ers offensive line has been a hot mess dating back to Jim Harbaugh’s final years when the likes of Marcus Martin were trying to make a name for themselves. The back half of 2017 brought improvement and major strides were made in 2018. The addition of Mike McGlinchey and emerging presence of Mike Person helped solidify things. The 49ers O-line is by no means a finished product, but it’s come a long way since Martin, Jordan Devey and others were opening up lanes for defensive linemen to plow through. And with improvement and new faces meant trades or free agency walks. Here’s a list of the more notable departures that is no way complete. Note that with some exceptions, camp bodies, training camp transactions, and roster cuts during the season are not listed for the most part.Daniel Kilgore (C)Brandon Fusco (RG)Trent Brown (LT)Zane Beadles (G)Daniel KilgoreFor a fifth-round pick, Kilgore managed to carve himself a role as a decent, though underwhelming starting center. Well Tom Rathman Jersey , when he was healthy, anyways. Kilgore managed just one season of starting all 16 games in his seven years with the 49ers. When 2018 free agency began, Kilgore had a contract in his hands with the 49ers and it looked like he’d stick around. Instead, the 49ers signed Weston Richburg and traded Kilgore to the Miami Dolphins and swapped seventh-round picks to seal the deal. The move leaves only one pick from the once lauded 2011 draft class (Mike Person)It’s hard to assess how Kilgore’s season would have went with his new team. He only saw four games of action before he tore his triceps and was placed on injured reserve. Going into Week 3, he had a 56.7 rating on Pro Football FocusBrandon Fusco Fusco signed with the 49ers in the 2017 offseason and managed to show a few bright spots in 2017, but was never someone that necessitated breaking the bank over in a new contract. He left for the Atlanta Falcons on a three-year, up to $12.75 million contract, an amount out of the 49ers’ budget. Fooch mentioned in his write-up above the 49ers could do better and the move freed up Mike Person to eventually win the role at right guard. As time went on, Person ended up being the solid choice. Much like Kilgore, Fusco’s assessment is a bit premature. He played seven games before going on IR with an ankle injury. Zane BeadlesEveryone’s scapegoat from 2017. After his release from the 49ers, Beadles signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons and was promptly sent to the sideline. In Week 13 due to poor play from Ben Garland, Beadles was named the starter. In his five starts, he wound up not getting a single penalty. He also made PFF’s team of the Week in Week 17. He’s a free agent again, so if you think the 49ers should roll the dice and bring him back, it’s always a possibility. Trent BrownOne of those very few Trent Baalke picks that worked out quite well. Brown was taken with a seventh-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.As the season wore on, Brown wrenched the starting job and became one of the league’s better pass-protecting tackles, getting praise from elite defenders like Von Miller. Unfortunately, weight and conditioning issues kept him out of favor with Kyle Shanahan and a decision had to be made. Another factor was how Brown’s run blocking was nowhere near as good as his pass protection. The 49ers drafted Mike McGlinchey and sent Brown to the New England Patriots a day later. In New England, Brown started all 16 games at left tackle (he played right in San Francisco), protecting Tom Brady’s blind side. 2016 and 2017 brought six false start penalties apiece and Brown has one to his name for 2018. On the flipside, he had one holding penalty in 2016 and 2017 each, but four for 2018, so pick your poison. For what it’s worth, Brown is about to start in his first Super Bowl. So he may be doing pretty well for himself. As for any improvement in the move? This blurb from Pro Football Focus may sum up Brown the best: Brown is entering 2019 as a free agent, so the 49ers could bring him back if they really saw a need to. Would you like to have any of these linemen back on the team?
Read?"Sign up for the Seaside Joe newsletter!In addition to the great content you'll see on Field Gulls every day Frank Clark Jersey , sign up for a daily newsletter to come to your email every morning that will be a short and sweet post, thought, stat, quote, musing by Kenneth or one of his guests that requires little thought or commitment. Just a good way to bring a Seahawks companion to your morning of sippin' joe by the seaside.Report: Ziggy Ansah meeting with the Seahawks today « Seahawks Draft BlogSeahawks host free agent DE Ezekiel Ansah on visitThe Seattle Seahawks reportedly hosted free agent defensive end Ezekiel Ansah on a visit on Monday afternoon, according to Adam Schefter.Ezekiel Ansah meets with Seattle Seahawks - NFL.comArguably the top remaining free-agent defensive lineman visited the Emerald City on Monday. Ezekiel Ansah was in Seattle to visit the Seattle Seahawks, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Podcast Player - Brock Huard takes a quick look at all 11 Seahawks draft picksBrock Huard takes a quick look at all 11 Seahawks draft picksSeahawks Kick Off Phase Two Of Offseason Workout ProgramSeahawks players were on the field Monday for the start of phase two of the offseason workout program.National Media Grade The Seahawks 2019 NFL Draft ClassNational media grade the Seattle Seahawks' selections from the 2019 NFL Draft.Seahawks Acquire Tight End Jacob Hollister In Trade With PatriotsThe Seattle Seahawks acquired a tight end in a trade with the New England Patriots on Monday.Seahawks and NFC West rivals: 2019 NFL draft day three recapThe Seahawks closed out a surprising 2019 NFL draft with solid picks on day three. Here's a look at how they and their NFC West rivals fared.Meet The Seahawks 2019 NFL Draft ClassSeattle entered the week with just four picks, but the Seahawks made a series of moves that allowed the club to come away with 11 new players in the 2019 NFL Draft.Video: Jake Heaps breaks down the Seahawks' 5 draft picks on offenseWe turn to one of our resident quarterbacks at 710 ESPN Seattle, Jake Heaps, to break down all 11 Seahawks picks from the 2019 NFL Draft. First up is the offense.13-year-old leukemia survivor announces Seahawks draft pickAt 13, Owen Church can say he has beaten leukemia, run a 5:36 mile, and, as of Friday, announced one of the Seahawks' second round draft picks.Patriots ship tight end Jacob Hollister to Seahawks - NFL.comAfter making seven trades during the NFL Draft, the Patriots made another one on Monday, sending tight end Jacob Hollister to the Seahawks for a 2020 seventh-round pick.Eagles pick up QB Carson Wentz's fifth-year option - NFL.comThe Philadelphia Eagles made the inevitable official on Monday afternoon, exercising the fifth-year option on Carson Wentz's rookie deal.Josh Rosen ready to compete for Dolphins' starting job - NFL.comNew year, new team, new city, same mindset for Josh Rosen. Following Friday's trade from Arizona to Miami, the second-year signal-caller said he's ready to battle for the Dolphins' starting job.Sebastian Janikowski retiring after 19 seasons in NFL - NFL.comFormer Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski is calling it quits nearly 19 years to the day when he was drafted in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft.DeAndre Hopkins’ mother to be subject of new movie – ProFootballTalkTexans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has worked hard to become an NFL star, but his struggle is nothing compared to his mother's. Now, her chance to be in the spotlight is coming. According to Justin Kroll of Variety.Montez Sweat was “very, very high” on Washington’s draft board – ProFootballTalkWashington got two of the players it coveted most in this year's draft. The first was quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who fell to Washington at No. 15 even after there was some talk that they would trade all the way up into the Top 5 to get him.Video: Jake Heaps breaks down the Seahawks' 5 draft picks on offenseWe turn to one of our resident quarterbacks at 710 ESPN Seattle Phil Haynes Jersey , Jake Heaps, to break down all 11 Seahawks picks from the 2019 NFL Draft. First up is the offense.13-year-old leukemia survivor announces Seahawks draft pickAt 13, Owen Church can say he has beaten leukemia, run a 5:36 mile, and, as of Friday, announced one of the Seahawks' second round draft picks.Patriots ship tight end Jacob Hollister to Seahawks - NFL.comAfter making seven trades during the NFL Draft, the Patriots made another one on Monday, sending tight end Jacob Hollister to the Seahawks for a 2020 seventh-round pick.Eagles pick up QB Carson Wentz's fifth-year option - NFL.comThe Philadelphia Eagles made the inevitable official on Monday afternoon, exercising the fifth-year option on Carson Wentz's rookie deal.Josh Rosen ready to compete for Dolphins' starting job - NFL.comNew year, new team, new city, same mindset for Josh Rosen. Following Friday's trade from Arizona to Miami, the second-year signal-caller said he's ready to battle for the Dolphins' starting job.Sebastian Janikowski retiring after 19 seasons in NFL - NFL.comFormer Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski is calling it quits nearly 19 years to the day when he was drafted in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft.DeAndre Hopkins’ mother to be subject of new movie – ProFootballTalkTexans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has worked hard to become an NFL star, but his struggle is nothing compared to his mother's. Now, her chance to be in the spotlight is coming. According to Justin Kroll of Variety.Montez Sweat was “very, very high” on Washington’s draft board – ProFootballTalkWashington got two of the players it coveted most in this year's draft. The first was quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who fell to Washington at No. 15 even after there was some talk that they would trade all the way up into the Top 5 to get him. FOX analyst Troy Aikman was critical of a roughing the passer penalty on Tyrone Crawford in the first quarter. The Cowboys defensive lineman hit Russell Wilson as the Seahawks quarterback released the ball.The 15-yard penalty gave Seattle a first down on a third-down incompletion intended for Brandon Marshall.It appeared similar to Clay Matthews‘ hit on Alex Smith earlier Sunday.鈥淭yrone Crawford comes in, makes a textbook play, and these are game-changing penalties,” Aikman said. “I鈥檓 tired of talking about it.鈥漈he NFL used Matthews’ controversial hit on Kirk Cousins last week — as well as one from Eric Kendricks on Aaron Rodgers — as a “teaching tool” for teams. “The league just can’t seem to get out of its own way,” Aikman continued.Crawford left the game with a right arm injury but returned after adding a support sleeve to his arm.Earl Thomas has a nifty interception of Dak Prescott, but officials ruled it an incomplete pass on the field to negate a return by the Seahawks safety. The Seahawks ended up punting.Neither team has done much on offense, and it remains 0-0 late in the first quarter.
Some players shy away from evidence of past injuries.Titans tight end Delanie Walker watched his badly broken right ankle repeatedly Curley Culp Jersey , without looking away.“This is going to be my motivation year,” Walker said, via Jim Wyatt of the team’s official website “I always say that I am motivated every year, but coming off an injury like that and then me being 35 [in August] going into next season, I’ll be extra motivated. I feel like this is the year I need to show everyone I came back from an injury, I’m 35 Delanie Walker Jersey , and I am still the best tight end in the NFL.”While there’s a reasonable question about whether he can “still” be the best (he was quite good previously, if not quite Gronkowski), returning to his previous form would be a solid start.Walker caught 74 passes for 807 yards and three touchdowns and made his third straight Pro Bowl, and he has been a consistent producer for them each of his five healthy seasons. The Titans ran out of help at the position last year (Jonnu Smith finished the year on IR as well), and getting those two back will be a major boost for a team that was close to playoff level.Walker will still be limited through OTAs, but at his age Rashaan Evans Jersey , that’s probably a good plan anyway. With the afternoon in the bag, here’s a look at where things stand for the 12 playoff seeds.Chiefs (12-4): Sunday’s win over the Raiders gave the Chiefs the No. 1 seed in the AFC.Patriots (11-5): Sunday’s win over the Jets gave the Patriots the No. 2 seed in the AFC.Texans (11-5): The Texans have clinched the AFC South, and the No. 3 seed, with their win over the Jaguars.Ravens (10-6): The Ravens secured the AFC North title, and the No. 4 seed, by beating the Browns.Chargers (12-4): The Chargers beat the Broncos Harold Landry Jersey , but Kansas City’s win knocks the Chargers to the No. 5 seed.Titans (9-6): The Titans will clinch the No. 6 seed with a win over the Colts.Colts (9-6): The Colts clinch the No. 6 seed with a win over the Titans.Steelers (9-6-1): The Steelers will be the No. 6 seed if the Colts and Titans tie.Saints (13-3): The NFC South champions are locked in as the No. 1 seed.Rams (13-3): The NFC West champions nailed down the No. 2 seed by beating the 49ers.Bears (12-4): The NFC North champions are the No. 3 seed.Cowboys (10-6): The NFC East champions are locked in as the No. 4 seed.Seahawks (10-6): The Seahawks secured the No. 5 seed with Sunday’s win over the Cardinals. (With the Vikings losing, the Seahawks would have had it anyway.Eagles (9-7): The Eagles secured the No. 6 seed by beating Washington, and via Minnesota’s loss to Chicago.Vikings (8-7-1): The Vikings failed to qualify for the playoffs, by losing to the Bears and by the Eagles winning.
Web links on the Buccaneers."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 2016 NFL DraftInjuriesFree AgencyGame FilmThe Crow’s Nest: Jameis Winston http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-donovan-smith-jersey , a WR visit, and mock draftsNew,102commentsWeb links on the Buccaneers.EDTShareTweetShareShareThe Crow’s Nest: Jameis Winston, a WR visit, and mock draftsPhoto by John Babiak/Bucs NationNEW PODCAST: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QBOn this episode of the podcast, Winston shares how his faith in Christ has grown and why it is the No. 1 priority in his life. He also talks about having a new head coach in Bruce Arians and why this season is so important to him.Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown visiting BuccaneersAfter losing Adam Humphries in free agency and trading DeSean Jackson Ronde Barber Jersey , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are kicking the tires on a draft prospect at the receiver position.2019 NFL mock draft: Ed Oliver lands in the top 5 to Tampa BayThe Houston star could be another piece for the Buccaneers’ defensive line.2019 NFL Draft: What would a Buffalo Bills trade up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cost?If the Bills want a stud DT, they may need to trade up.Bucs Mock Draft Roundup 10.0As the draft inches closer, mock drafts become more focused.Quinnen Williams visits BuccaneersFormer Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams may not make it to the fifth pick of the first round later this month, but the Buccaneers want to be prepared in the event he is on the board when it is their time to pick.Lavonte David Is On The ClockHe’s running out of time, and he knows it. It’s been a long, hard road to get back for the Buccaneers’ franchise quarterback, but Jameis Winston is ready to be under center and start his first game of the 2018 season.When speaking with the media Thursday http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-jameis-winston-jersey , Winston expressed his desire to beat Atlanta - a desire that started as a child;Winston has had success in the unfriendly confines of the Dome, holding a 2-0 record as a starter. This game will be more interesting than most of the others in the past due to both teams’ failing defenses. This has “last one with the ball wins” written all over it and with the weapons the Bucs have, they stand a puncher’s chance despite being on the road.This isn’t the 2017 Buccaneers. This is the 2018 Buccaneers that have been dominant (for the most part) offensively with the back-up Ryan Fitzpatrick. With Winston under center, they look to reignite the fire they had in the first three weeks and put the beating from the Bears deep in the rear view mirror.Winston knows this team has changed and is excited about the potential. As for his own personal style of play, he knows what he needs to improve on - and focus on - compared to the 2017 season;The test begins Sunday as to whether or not Winston can get the offense back on track - and if the 2018 Bucs truly are different than those in 2017.
Not sure who could play to the best of their ability after going through what he did."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 49ers Salary CapLevi’s Stadium Events49ers Transactions49ers Injury News49ers Press Conferences & Conference CallsSan Francisco 49ers NewsSolomon Thomas says his on-field performance was due to personal issuesNew http://www.49erslockerroom.com/authentic-ahkello-witherspoon-jersey ,125commentsNot sure who could play to the best of their ability after going through what he did. PDTShareTweetShareShareSolomon Thomas says his on-field performance was due to personal issuesA few of you are ready to give up on Solomon Thomas, but let’s give him one more year. His rookie season wasn’t the greatest, due to a stupid rule that kept him from practicing and his sophomore season wasn’t much better. In a recent article in the Athletic, Matt Barrows listed the 15 best and worst draft picks of the San Francisco 49ers in the 21st century. The best is your George Kittles and NaVorro Bowmans, and the worsts have your A.J. Jenkins and Giovanni Carmazzis. Give it a read and you’ll see Solomon Thomas isn’t anywhere on that list. One fan wondered why and tweeted direct at Barrows asking about the omission of the defensive tackle that has been the source of fans’ recent frustration. Barrows responded with this: For those of you wondering, Thomas’ sister committed suicide January 23 2018. The incident remains a go-to for speculation on why Thomas’ play may have suffered, but there has been no acknowledgement from Thomas himself. Now he admits that tragedy was reason for his play. Makes sense. Everyone deals with grief in different ways and not everyone can get their head straight after tragedy in weeks Mike Person Jersey White , months, or even a year. If you remember right, then-Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid’s son died in the preseason from a Heroin overdose and there were all sorts of reports of how Reid was dealing with it, all of it ridiculous. How he, Thomas, and anyone else deal with traumatic situations like this is their business and in the wake of these types of tragedies, perhaps a bit of empathy is in order. It may be important to note that Thomas was 22 when this happened. Thomas definitely is under the microscope Womens Y.A. Tittle Jersey , and by comparison, Reid did lose his job to close out that season where his son died, but let’s give Thomas an offseason and a year removed from a terrible tragedy and see what he does before we call him a bust. This was discussed over the weekend at the owners meetings"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 49ers Salary CapLevi’s Stadium Events49ers Transactions49ers Injury News49ers Press Conferences & Conference CallsToday's NFL NewsSan Francisco 49ers NewsReport: 49ers could host a game in China in 2020New,62commentsThis was discussed over the weekend at the owners meetingsPDTShareTweetShareShareReport: 49ers could host a game in China in 2020Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsOver the weekend there were many proposals and discussions at the owners meeting. Whether it’s changing the onside kick rules to 4th & 15, or the Kansas City Chiefs proposing that each team gets a possession in overtime. Don’t expect many of these to gain much traction. There is one proposal that has been in the works for a couple years now.Back in 2016, the San Francisco 49ers were supposed to host the Los Angeles Rams in China in 2018. That fell through. A year later, it was reported that the idea would be delayed at least until 2019. We’ve got some new information regarding the game Mike McGlinchey Jersey White , according to Matt Barrows of the Athletic.The Niners would give up a home game if they were to host the Rams. Barrows also mentions that the Rams and 49ers are the two teams that have shown the most interest to play in Beijing. Here’s John Lynch on the idea of playing in China:There are a few things to discuss here. Knowing that the practice facilities are up to the quality that the team needs is important. Team officials have made several trips to Beijing and Shanghai in the last year to scout facilities, per Barrows. Finding out the best possible place for the game to be played is a big factor as well.This will continue to be a topic of discussion at the owners meetings, but a final decision likely won’t be made for several months. How would you feel about giving up a home game? Is the exposure for the franchise worth it?
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw a touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals Ed Dickson Jersey Green , his 35th of the year. That set a new franchise record, surpassing his own mark of 34, which he hit in 2015 and 2017. Wilson also threw an interception against the Cardinals, but it was only his seventh all year.The Seahawks went on to win 27-24, clinching them a 10-6 record and the 5-seed in the NFC playoffs. They will face the Dallas Cowboys next weekend.Seattle’s win was the 75th of Wilson’s career, which is three more than any other QB in NFL history through seven seasons. He’s one of only three QBs in history to start all 112 games through seven years, joining Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco. If the Seahawks managed to pull off the remarkable feat of winning the Super Bowl, Wilson would have more postseason wins than any other QB in NFL history through seven seasons, assuming he remains healthyWilson has the highest passer rating of any QB through seven seasons with a minimum of 70 starts. He is third all-time in TD passes through seven seasons, behind Dan Marino and Manning.He’s good. Read!"Thursday Round-Up: Russell Wilson & Tyler Lockett Recognized As Most Extraordinary Quarterback-Receiver Tandem Of 2018NFL.com recognized Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver Tyler Lockett as the most extraordinary quarterback-receiver tandem of 2018 according to Next Gen Stats.Seattle Seahawks select edge defender in 1st Touchdown Wire mockTouchdown Wire released their first mock draft of the season, and they had the Seattle Seahawks selecting edge defender Montez Sweat.Ranking the Seattle Seahawks positions by greatest needRanking the Seahawks positions by greatest need. Which units do Seattle need to address the most this offseason? Here's a guess.The state of the Seahawks' secondary: Is DB a bigger need than DE?Last year, the Seahawks recaptured part of what made their Super Bowl-winning style so explosive with their run game. Can they rekindle that spark in their secondary in 2019?Seahawks Russell Wilson to the Giants proves a slow news daySeahawks Russell Wilson to the Giants proves a slow news day. Could Wilson end up with New York and leave Seattle? Please. This isn't going to happen.Prospect Profile: Athletic DT Khalen Saunders Plugs Crucial Hole for Seahawks - SeahawkMaven.ioOozing with potential, Saunders starred at the Senior Bowl and made a name for himself in a deep draft class.Earl Thomas free agent market beginning to take shape.GoLocalPDX | Seahawks’ Draft Prospects – Defensive BacksHere is part three of my look at the 2019 NFL Draft, and who the Seattle Seahawks should pick. I am highlighting some defensive backs that should pique Seattle’s interest.Seattle has a good defensive backfield right now, but there are a couple players sGiants Mailbag: Could we see Russell Wilson playing for Big Blue? - New York Daily NewsEven with Russell Wilson at 30 years old entering the last year of his current contract at a $25 million cap hit, it's doubtful he'll move. However Ethan Pocic Jersey , if Seattle ever did want to trade Wilson, the Giants should be all-in.Report: Browns leading candidate to land DE Frank Clark | wkyc.comPro Football Focus believes the Cleveland Browns are the likely landing spot for soon-to-be free agent defensive end Frank Clark.Patriots' Devin McCourty on 2019: 'I'm going to play' - NFL.comAfter coming aboard to help the New England Patriots win Super Bowl LIII, and flirting with the idea of retirement in the buildup, veteran safety Devin McCourty announced he will resume his career in 2019.Harrison: Tomlin must take charge of Steelers drama - NFL.comWhile Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert might see his roster as Ben Roethlisberger and "52 kids", not all current or former members of the organization necessarily feel that way.Saints release vet safety Kurt Coleman after one year - NFL.comLess than a year after signing a three-year deal worth $16.5 million, Coleman was released by the New Orleans Saints, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.Bengals hire Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator - NFL.comThe Bengals announced Thursday they've hired former Giants defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo as their next DC. The hire reunites Anarumo and Zac Taylor, who previously coached together.Ravens, CB Tavon Young agree to three-year extension - NFL.comThe Ravens made a move Thursday to ensure the foundation of their CB group remains intact. The Ravens signed Tavon Young to a three-year extension worth $27 million, per Mike Garafolo.Broncos' Case Keenum 'shocked' by Joe Flacco trade - NFL.comThe Denver Broncos agreed to trade for veteran QB Joe Flacco last week. Broncos signal-caller Case Keenum said in a recent interview he was stunned by the acquisition.Tom Coughlin: Bortles is QB for Jaguars 'right now' - NFL.comWhen asked about the future of Blake Bortles in Jacksonville, executive vice president Tom Coughlin said the veteran is the Jaguars' quarterback "right now." Is the QB on his way out?Ravens OC: Dangers of Jackson running are 'overrated' - NFL.comRavens OC Greg Roman, who takes over a Ravens offense thrusting its weight fully behind run-first signal-caller Lamar Jackson, thinks the criticism of QBs getting hurt while running is overblown.Vikings ST coordinator: “All things are on the table” at kicker – ProFootballTalkReliable kickers have been tough to come by in Minnesota in recent seasons and the man who will be charged with leading the effort to find the right person to end that streak met with the media on Thursday.Tyler Eifert: Injury-prone label “tough” because I couldn’t prevent “pretty freak injuries” – ProFootballTalkBengals tight end Tyler Eifert posted a workout video this week that showed he's made good progress in his recovery from last year's broken ankle with the start of free agency drawing closer. Eifert discussed his recovery and his impending freedom during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio.Panthers exploring bid to bring NFL Draft to Charlotte – ProFootballTalkWhen the NFL turned its annual player selection meeting into a traveling road show, the plan hinged on having cities line up to bid for the right to host it. And they continue to get in line.
EDMONTON Carl Soderberg Jersey , Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers acquired three defensemen Sunday, getting Alexander Petrovic from the Florida Panthers and adding Brandon Manning and Robin Norell hours later from the Chicago Blackhawks.Florida received defenseman Chris Wideman and a conditional 2019 third-round pick, and Chicago got forward Drake Caggiula and defenseman Jason Garrison.Petrovic had one assist in 26 games for Florida this season. The 26-year-old Edmonton native had five goals and 44 assists in 254 games in seven seasons with the PanthersManning had a goal and two assists in 27 games for Chicago this season. The 28-year-old has 12 goals and 34 assists in 234 games in seven NHL season, the first six with Philadelphia.The 23-year-old Norell has three assists in 27 games this season for Djurgardens in the Swedish Hockey League.The 28-year-old Wideman had two assists in five games with Edmonton after joining the Oilers last month in a trade with Ottawa. He has 16 goals and 27 assists in 175 career NHL games.The 24-year-old Caggiula had seven goals and four assists in 29 games for the Oilers this season. He set career highs in points (20), goals (13) and games (67) last season with Edmonton.The Oilers are sixth in the Pacific Division with an 18-17-3 record. They have lost five straight. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Backup goaltender Malcolm Subban got just six goals from the Vegas Golden Knights while going 0-5-0 to start the season.The offense came through against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, and Subban delivered another solid performance to keep the surging Knights rolling.Subban stopped 30 shots to help the Golden Knights beat Los Angeles 4-1 Gabriel Landeskog Jersey Kids , ending the Kings’ four-game winning streak.“Come the end of the game, I could tell the guys around the bench were happy for him,” Vegas center Paul Stastny said. “Made some big stops early in the game, and I think we just kept kind of digging into them. Even the goal they scored was our fault, we kind of let him down a little bit.”Stastny and Alex Tuch each had a goal and an assist, and William Carrier and William Karlsson also scored as the Golden Knights improved to 6-1-3 in their last 10 games.Vegas also defeated Los Angeles for the first time this season after losing the first two games of the five-game series.“They were on a heater lately http://www.officialavalanche.com/authentic-adidas-j.t.-compher-jersey , so we wanted to show we could come in here and beat them,” Subban said. “Obviously last year we did pretty well against them, including the playoffs. Being down 0-2 we felt like we needed to finally get a win against them, and we’re glad to get it sooner than later.”Anze Kopitar scored for the Kings, and Jonathan Quick finished with 27 saves.Tuch put the Golden Knights up 2-1 with 7:34 left in the second period. Matt Luff turned it over in his own zone, and Stastny found Tuch for the one-timer from the right circle.“We just didn’t play enough in the second Youth Matt Nieto Jersey ,” Kings coach Willie Desjardins said. “Wasn’t that I didn’t think the effort was there, we just made plays that we shouldn’t have made. Our work is cut out for us.”The Golden Knights went up 1-0 at 4:55 when Carrier when he redirected Cody Eakin’s shot past Quick, but the Kings tied it at with 5 seconds left in the opening period when Kopitar tapped in Sean Walker’s shot between Subban’s legs.Subban was able to immediately move past allowing the late goal, saying he treated it as a brand new game was about to start. Stastny said that attitude is what has made Subban so effective working behind starter Marc-Andre Fleury, even if it hasn’t resulted in wins.“He’s been patient,” Stastny said. “He’s had a positive attitude Mikko Rantanen Jersey , and he knows it’s going to come.”Tuch’s 13th goal of the season would end up being all the support Subban needed, but Karlsson scored on a breakaway off a stretch pass by Nate Schmidt to extend the lead to 3-1 at 3:20 of the third.Stastny added an empty-netter with 2:32 remaining, giving him four goals and three assists in eight games since returning from a lower-body injury that caused him to miss 30 games.The Kings had their longest winning streak of the season ended, along with a season-best stretch of five straight games earning at least one point.“The big thing is now we can’t let this one (loss) turn into two and three and four,” Kopitar said.NOTES: Golden Knights D Colin Miller (upper body) was placed on injured reserve. … The Golden Knights claimed F Valentin Zykov off waivers from Edmonton. Zykov has four goals and seven assists in 30 career games for the Oilers, Carolina and Toronto. … The Kings activated D Dion Phaneuf (upper body) off injured reserve Nathan MacKinnon Jersey , but he did not play for the seventh straight game.UP NEXTGolden Knights: Visit Arizona on Sunday.Kings: Visit Colorado on Monday.
TAMPA San Jose Sharks Hats Authentic , Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning look to remain unbeaten in the month of December when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday at Amalie Arena.The Eastern Conference leading Lightning have posted a 10-0-1 record this month while remaining unbeaten in regulation in 13 consecutive games, tied for the second longest streak of consecutive games earning a point in franchise history. Overall, Tampa Bay has won 15 of the past 17 games, with a 15-1-1 record since Nov. 21 that has launched the Lightning to the top of the league standings, six points clear of second place Toronto.“Our group’s done a good job all year of keeping things going in the right direction and it’s shown in the success we’ve had,” Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “But it’s only been one half here, and there’s a lot of road left and we know that it’s going to take a lot of work here.”Article continues below ...Offensively, Tampa Bay’s been led by league-leading scorer Nikita Kucherov, who has nine points in his past two games to become the first player in franchise history to record at least nine points in consecutive games. Kucherov surpassed Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen for the league lead.Steven Stamkos has set a franchise record for goals in a month with 14 and is coming off back-to-back multi-goal efforts. Stamkos has climbed in to the top 10 in goal scorers with 15 goals in the past 13 games and has goals in five consecutive games.“Things are going well (offensively) right now . . . and there’s still a couple of games left this month and I’d like to continue that,” Stamkos said. “Anytime you are having success, the puck is finding you in the right areas and you have the confidence you can put it in the net. So I’d love to continue doing that in wins. It feels a lot better when things are going well for yourself and the team and I’ll look to continue that.”While the Lightning sit atop the standings, the surprising Canadiens are just looking to stay in the top eight in the Eastern Conference. Montreal moved in to the top wild card position with Friday’s 5-3 victory against Florida, one of the teams looking to track down the Canadiens in the chase for a wildcard spot.“I think it was important for us to have a good start,” Canadiens coach Claude Julien told NHL.com. “There was a big importance on both sides to this game Custom San Jose Sharks Jerseys , and we needed to have a good start, especially on the road.”The Canadiens, however, may have to lean on goaltender Antti Niemi for an unspecified amount of time after Carey Price was placed on injured reserve with a lower body and did not leave with the team for a three-game road trip.Niemi got the call in net against the Panthers, stopping 23 shots in his first start since giving up seven goals to Minnesota on Dec. 11.“It’s been a long time sitting on that game even if I didn’t feel that bad about that game,” Niemi told NHL.com. “But, yeah, obviously I’ve been waiting to get back to get a W. I felt pretty good in practice. I think that’s the main thing, finding your game in there. So it wasn’t that bad, but after a tough game like that, it’s been a long time.” LAS VEGAS (AP) — Alex Tuch and the Vegas Golden Knights made the most of their chance to atone for an ugly loss.Tuch had a goal and an assist in his 100th career game, and Vegas beat the Calgary Flames 2-0 on Friday.The Golden Knights avenged a 7-2 loss at Calgary on Monday, when the Flames opened up a 5-0 lead after just one period. The visit to Vegas marked the first time Calgary has been shut out this season.Colin Miller scored his first goal of the season, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves in his fourth shutout of the season. It also was the 52nd shutout of his career www.officialblues.com , moving him into sole possession of 24th place on the NHL list, one shy of Nashville’s Pekka Rinne.“It was a good slap in the face in Calgary,” said Fleury, who earned his 415th career victory. “It’s good that we got to face them quickly in front of our crowd and got the win.”Fleury also started Wednesday at Arizona and made 19 saves in a 3-2 victory over the Coyotes.“I thought we bounced back good in Arizona, we got the win there, it was a close game, too,” Fleury said. “Sometimes things have to go right to get a shutout. Most of the night I could see the puck right, our guys in front played good, too.”James Neal, who scored the first two goals in Golden Knights history, made his first trip back to T-Mobile Arena as a member of the Flames. He received a warm reception from the crowd of 18,206 and finished with three shots on goal and four hits.“The fans are unbelievable, I loved playing here again St. Louis Blues T-Shirts Authentic ,” Neal said. “Just great memories here, it’s one of those things that you never forget. It was a quite a run that we had, a special bond with the guys. It’s an emotional comeback for sure.”Calgary goaltender David Rittich made 26 saves after entering with a six-start win streak and an 8-1-0 mark on the year.Tuch put the Golden Knights in front 16 minutes into the second period when he deflected Cody Eakin’s wrist shot from the point. Miller extended the lead early in the third period when he launched a blistering slap shot from the blue line that beat Rittich on the stick side.Since opening the season 0 for 16 and ranking last in the NHL on the power play, the Golden Knights have scored 14 goals in their last 60 chances with the man advantage.“It’s nice to build momentum off a good divisional win against Arizona, but a slap in the face on Monday will really get you going,” Tuch said. “It feels weird (to play) 100 games, but you know what, I’m just really happy to get the win.”NOTES: Forward Reilly Smith extended his point streak (one goal, five assists) to four games after assisting on Miller’s goal. … After missing the first three games of the season, Eakin has recorded 13 points (eight goals, five assists).UP NEXTFlames: Visit Arizona on SundayGolden Knights: Finish a back-to-back at home, hosts San Jose on Saturday.
BUFFALO John Klingberg Jersey , N.Y. (AP) — Brad Marchand was relieved in seeing how the Boston Bruins went from what the forward called “brutal” one night to much better the next.Marchand set up all four goals and Jaroslav Halak stopped 32 shots in a 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, a day after Boston opened the season with an embarrassing 7-0 loss at Washington.“When you have a game like last night, it can definitely make you a little nervous about how things are going to go,” Marchand said. “But I think this just gave us the confidence that we know we can settle down and bounce back.”Captain Zdeno Chara and rookie Ryan Donato staked the Bruins to a 2-0 lead by the 15:34 mark of the first period. David Pastrnak scored in the second and Patrice Bergeron capped the victory with an empty-net goal with 12 seconds left.The new-look Sabres, featuring rookie No. 1 draft pick Rasmus Dahlin and Jack Eichel as captain, more resembled the team that finished last in the standings for the third time in five years. After receiving rousing cheers upon being introduced before the opening faceoff in their season opener, the Sabres were booed off the ice following the first and second periods.“Obviously, I think their fuse is a bit short for us, and rightfully so,” Eichel said Mattias Janmark Jersey , referring to fans’ impatience. “We haven’t played well the last few years. That’s on us to put a better product on the ice.”It’s been a familiar lament for the Sabres. Dating to last season, Buffalo has lost five straight overall and six in a row at home — including three shutout losses. The Sabres dropped to 0-5-1 in their past six season openers. They were shut out for the fourth time to open a season, and first since a 2-0 loss at Philadelphia in 2003.Buffalo failed to score despite playing much of the final five minutes with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker.Halak got the start a night after allowing two goals on 18 shots in replacing starter Tuukka Rask, who was yanked midway through the second period against Washington. The shutout was the 43rd of Halak’s career.“We all knew it just wasn’t good enough yesterday and we needed to come back tonight and bounce back, and that’s what we did,” said Halak, who signed with Boston in July.Chara opened the scoring 6:33 in, when he was allowed to skate in alone up the left side and beat offseason free-agent addition Carter Hutton on the short side.Hutton finished with 22 saves and had no chance on Donato’s power-play goal nine minutes later. Donato was alone driving to the right post, where he redirected Marchand’s pass from the high slot.The 18-year-old Dahlin had an inconsistent night and at times looked hesitant in being matched with several defensive partners. He was on the ice for the Bruins’ third goal in allowing David Krejci’s pass through the crease go directly through his legs. The pass set up Pastrnak, who scored while being left alone at the left post.Dahlin finished second among Buffalo players with 22 minutes and 37 seconds of ice time Radek Faksa Jersey , and was credited with two hits and one giveaway.“Yeah, it was a little bit faster,” Dahlin said of the game’s pace. “I learned how a regular-season game is. I’m just looking forward to the next game. We’ve got to do better.”NOTES: Boston improved to 5-2 in games after opening the season with a shutout loss. … The Sabres have only 10 players on the roster who played in Buffalo’s season opener last year, and just six from the 2016-17 opener. … At 18 years and 175 days, Dahlin is the second-youngest player to open a season in Buffalo, behind only 1987 No. 1 pick, Pierre Turgeon (18 years, 41 days). … Bruins RW Chris Wagner, who played 13:10 against Washington, was scratched and replaced in the lineup by LW Anders Bjork.UP NEXTBruins: Home-opener against Ottawa on Monday.Sabres: Continue four-game homestand against New York Rangers on Saturday. A holiday break couldn’t have come soon enough for the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks.After a lackluster outing Authentic Stephen Johns Jersey , the Sharks close their longest homestand by looking for another win over the struggling Canucks on Friday night.San Jose (11-7-4) lost for the second time in three games Tuesday dropping a 4-3 decision in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. Coach Peter DeBoer noted that the team appeared to take the night off.Article continues below ...“We’re scoring some goals, but tonight’s a disappointing one because I thought had we got a little bit better effort from everybody, from 20 guys, we should have got two points,” he said after the club gave up three leads. “We didn’t have enough participants tonight. Didn’t play well enough for long enough stretches.”But the Sharks have feasted on the Canucks in recent years. San Jose is 9-0-1 in its last 10 overall against Vancouver, including five consecutive victories at SAP Center.“This league doesn’t allow you to get frustrated for too long,” DeBoer said. The Sharks are one point behind the Calgary Flames for the Pacific Division lead.Offensively, San Jose is being carried during the homestand by its captain. Joe Pavelski, the reigning NHL Third Star of the Week, has six goals and four assists over the last five games. However Youth Tyler Pitlick Jersey , he’s posted just seven assists in his last 10 games versus the Canucks.With a team-high 13 goals, Pavelski — whose contract is up after the season — is on pace for career-best 48.Vancouver (10-12-2) resumes its California road trip looking for answers. With a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, the Canucks have lost six straight in regulation and seven in a row overall.“I think that’s the most frustrating part is that we’re in every single one of those games and we’re playing well,” said center Bo Horvat, who had a goal and an assist and leads the team with 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists).One reason for Vancouver’s slide is the recent output by budding star Elias Petterson. In his first nine games, the rookie center registered 15 points, including nine goals. But since his five-point effort in a win over the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 2, Petterson has only four points (three goals, assist) in nine games.The 20-year-old Swede still leads the club with 12 goals.On defense Tyler Seguin Jersey , Jacob Markstrom has a 3.69 goals-against average and .897 save percentage while losing six straight starts and frustration may be setting in.“I feel like we shouldn’t be this many games (with) consecutive losses, but we’re here,” he told the Vancouver Sun. “We’ve got to find a way. We’ve got to get together as a team and we need to get some points on this road trip. The train is leaving the station pretty soon here, so we need to get going.”Markstrom is 2-4-1 with a 3.74 GAA and .882 save percentage all-time against the Sharks. Backup Anders Nilsson was activated Wednesday after missing 12 games with a broken finger, but he’s given up 11 goals on 93 shots while losing each of his last three starts this season.The Canucks have also surrendered at least one power-play goal in each of their last six games. Vancouver’s 20 power-play goals allowed are third-most in the NHL.With 1,033 career assists, San Jose’s Joe Thornton needs one more to move past Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux for 11th on the all-time list.
in the win column in 2018 http://www.thetitanslockerroom.com/authentic-ryan-succop-jersey , Florida State will still be sending some talent to the 2019 NFL draft.One such prospect is Demarcus Christmas, a destructive force that anchored..."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Tennessee Titans Podcast2019 NFL draft: Introducing Demarcus Christmas, the run-stuffer ready to anchor an NFL defensive lineNew,8commentsCSTShareTweetShareShare2019 NFL draft: Introducing Demarcus Christmas, the run-stuffer ready to anchor an NFL defensive lineMelina Vastola-USA TODAY SportsDespite their struggles in the win column in 2018, Florida State will still be sending some talent to the 2019 NFL draft.One such prospect is Demarcus Christmas, a destructive force that anchored the Seminoles’ defensive line.Christmas recently spoke exclusively with MCM about how he’s working to improve as a pass-rusher, the Senior Bowl experience and why the previous Florida State coaching staff brought he and his teammates closer together.JM: You were a bit of a late addition to the Senior Bowl this year. What was that experience like for you?DM: I was patiently waiting for that. My agent and I went back and forth talking about it for a long time. I drove down to Tallahassee on the Saturday Quinton Spain Jersey , two days before the deadline to report to the Senior Bowl. I ended up getting the phone call later that night and I drove up there to Mobile on Sunday morning. I was excited for it.JM: That’s as last minute as it gets but I think you made the most of the opportunity. What do you feel is the lasting impression you left on the scouts and general managers in attendance?DM: My goal was to prove that I could rush the passer as well. I believe that I flashed as a pass rusher during the game when I got my opportunities. I showed them that I play the game with an attitude and that my motor is always running hot.JM: You definitely popped in the game. Do you feel you’re more refined as a pass rusher or a run stopper at this point in time?DM: I’m more of a run stopper right now but I’m training hard to improve as a pass rusher. I’m working with Chuck Smith right now. He was an awesome pass rusher and I could learn a lot from him. I don’t think I’m a bad pass rusher by any means. I didn’t always have the right opportunity to rush the passer. It wasn’t something that was frequently asked of me. I’m getting more of the techniques down during this period. JM: He’s an excellent pass rushing coach. Do you have a go to move when rushing the passer?DM: Anything that has to do with power. My bull rush or my chop, dip and rip. Chuck Smith has also added some tools to my arsenal that I’m still implementing and perfecting. I’m putting in work right now. I’m working on having more counter moves ready for when my initial move is stopped.JM: That’s great. Do you see yourself playing in a certain scheme or at a specific position at the next level?DM: I played a bunch of positions at Florida State. They moved me all over the defensive line. I played some defensive end, defensive tackle and even at the nose spot. I can play all of those at the next level.JM: The combine is right around the corner. Are there any drills you’re looking forward to participating in?DM: I’m just looking forward to the combine in general. I can’t point to one specific drill or anything like that. I’m just ready for the whole thing. I’ve been working and training hard for that. The wait for it is pretty long so I’m just excited for it to get here. I’ve been watching the combine on television since I was a little kid so I’m pretty excited to be apart of it.JM: What’s the biggest lesson any coach at Florida State ever taught you?DM: The biggest lesson I learned was to trust the process. You have to buy into everything. It’ll all come together at the end of the day. I really just listened to everything they said and soaked it all up.JM: I’m curious what the atmosphere was like in the locker room this past season. It was a young team that had been through a lot of change.DM: We were pretty strong. We were put in an adverse situation with the past coaching staff but we’ve always known that adversity hits everybody at some point in time. It’s all about how you handle it and respond to it. We just took things one game at a time. It was up to us to stay strong and to battle together as a unit. It just brought us closer together.JM: I find that very interesting. You’ve had a lot of great teammates throughout your time at FSU but if you were off to war tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?DM: I’d bring Derrick Ndadi with me. We’ve been boys since day one. I’d honestly be happy to bring any one of my teammates throughout my entire time at Florida State with me but Nnadi is my guy. We have a different kind of connection. We’ve been through a lot together. That’s the guy I’d take with me.JM: He’s a great guy I got to know a little bit last year during his pre-draft process. Is there an NFL quarterback that you’d love to sack?DM: Lamar Jackson. I didn’t get a chance to bring him down during the few times I played against him. He was just a little too elusive (laughs).JM: That’s a fair answer (laughs). I’ve appreciated your time tonight, DeMarcus. When a team drafts Demarcus Christmas, what kind of man are they getting?DM: They’re getting a guy that’s willing to come in and do whatever it takes to help the team win ball games. I’m gonna come in and work hard and play physical. Even if they need me to play special teams, I’m gonna do whatever it takes to make an NFL roster. The changes in Pittsburgh could include one of the most important members of the coaching staff.Offensive line coach Mike Munchak has “strong interest” in the Denver Broncos coaching job, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Munchak’s adult daughter and her family live in Denver Will Compton Jersey White , and Munchak reportedly has an affinity for the area.The team’s level of interest in Munchak isn’t clear.Schefter points out that Munchak declined an offer to become a head coach last year. Though the team isn’t named, it’s most likely the Cardinals. Munchak withdrew from consideration at a time when the team wanted to interview him a second time, issuing a statement citing family considerations.Munchak, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, coached the Titans from 2011 through 2013, winning 22 of 48 games. He has served as offensive line coach in Pittsburgh for the past five years, crafting a unit that had struggled for years into one of the best in the league.
weighs in on the upcoming NFL Draft"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 2016 NFL DraftInjuriesFree AgencyGame FilmBucs Look Offensive in Mel Kiper’s First Mock DraftNew Mike Alstott Jersey ,52commentsESPN’s resident gelled draft expert weighs in on the upcoming NFL DraftESTShareTweetShareShareBucs Look Offensive in Mel Kiper’s First Mock DraftKim Klement-USA TODAY SportsIt’s not draft season until Mel Kiper weighs in with his first 32-picks of the year following college football’s bowl season.Well, he’s done just that and with their first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will select Alabama offensive lineman, Jonah Williams.This isn’t the first time Bucs fans have seen Williams mocked or connected to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Williams has been a major part of Alabama’s success over the past three seasons after starting at right tackle in his freshman season.Beginning with 2017, Williams moved to left tackle where he remained this past season and became known as the best offensive lineman in the country for teams looking for help up front.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the list. While there are certainly needs on the defensive side of the ball, the common strategy in the NFL Draft tends to lean towards selecting the best player available.Rather than reach on a defender and reaching with a Top-5 pick, Kiper thinks the Bucs will target a Top-5 talent. It just so happens he also fills a position of need.On his mock draft, Kiper writes,Whether or not Tampa Bay decides to stick with Donovan Smith at left tackle or not Jamel Dean Jersey , adding Williams in the 2019 draft gives the coaching staff the ability to plug and play a new piece wherever they see it works better for the unit.This won’t be the last time we see this name linked with the Buccaneers’ fifth-overall draft pick, so get used to it.Check out the rest of Kiper’s first-round mock draft, here. When rumors started building around Bruce Arians possibly becoming the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, people started getting excited.Then the news started leaking the hire was imminent, and people were getting hyped up.When Jason Licht stepped up to the podium to officially announce the newest head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise, you could say the fan base was downright electric.Thus far, every player has expressed their happiness with the hire and looking forward to working with Arians and his group of coaches aimed at turning the ship around.But if Pro Football Focus is right, then there might be two players looking forward to the changes coming a little less than everyone else: O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.Recently, Michael Moore of PFF did a “Fantasy football winners and losers: Players with new coaches” column Jamel Dean Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jersey , in which he took every team with a new coach and identified fantasy winners and losers. Simple.For the Bucs, Moore identified quarterback Jameis Winston as his fantasy winner. Which is obvious.In 2018 Winston went from suspended starter, to back-up, to starter, to back-up, to starter.....I think that’s how many times they rotated.According to Arians and new offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, Winston is the quarteraback for this team. So at least for now, his fantasy stock is higher because he’s the starter. Easy.Moore gets a bit deeper with it. For losers, he identifies the two contributing tight ends on the team and says Youth Jamel Dean Jersey ,In 2018, Howard was trending upward as a fantasy football tight end until he was injured and lost for the year with ten games played. He finished with 48 targets, 38 receptions, 565-yards, five touchdowns and finished sixth on the team in targets.Brate’s 2018 saw him draw 49 targets (5th), 30 receptions, 289-yards and six scores. As comfortable as Winston is throwing to the tight end position, I just don’t see them disappearing.History is on the side of PFF on this one. But knowing and accepting your own history helps to prevent shortcomings in your past. Bruce Arians seems to be pretty self-aware if you ask me.
by San Francisco’s Richard Sherman that he was witness to watching Seattle’s Russell Wilson throw five interceptions in one game.He didn’t see Wilson throw any interceptions on Sunday. Instead http://www.49erslockerroom.com/authentic-joe-montana-jersey , he watched Wilson throw four touchdowns and the Seahawks stay in the middle of the NFC playoff race with a 43-16 blowout win over the 49ers.Wilson tossed three first-half touchdowns on just four completions as the Seahawks (7-5) won their third straight game, jumping to a 20-0 lead and beating the 49ers for the ninth straight time.“We didn’t throw it that much but we were able to make some huge plays when we did,” Wilson said.Seattle won’t be NFC West champs after the Los Angeles Rams clinched the division on Sunday. But the Seahawks continue to make a case they will be part of the NFC playoff field. And Wilson continues to play with an efficiency that may be the best of his career.Wilson wasn’t asked to do much in the first half, but the little he did found the end zone. He hit Jaron Brown on a 4-yard TD pass in the first quarter, found Tyler Lockett for a 52-yard score and connected with Doug Baldwin on a 1-yarder. According to Sportradar, Wilson throwing three touchdowns on four completions made for the fewest TDs/completions in a first half dating to 1991. The previous low was six.Wilson finished 11 of 17 for 185 yards and has thrown at least two touchdowns in eight straight games. It was the eighth time in the regular season Wilson has thrown four or more TD passes. His last came on an 18-yard strike to Brown early in the fourth quarter after he broke free from Sherman’s coverage.Wilson has 29 touchdown passes and five interceptions on the season. Rashaad Penny added a 20-yard run on the first offensive play of the second half following an 84-yard kickoff return by Lockett for a 27-3 lead.“It’s phenomenal that he’s able to continue to execute those plays and the receivers are doing a fantastic job,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.Bobby Wagner capped a blowout with a 98-yard interception return touchdown, the first of his career and the longest in franchise history. It was a big day for Seattle’s defensive leader, including a forced fumble and recovery in the first half ripping the ball away from San Francisco running back Jeff Wilson Jr. at the Seattle 5. He then stepped in front of Nick Mullens‘ pass near the goal line and outran the rest of the 49ers for the longest interception return in team history.Most of the attention centered on Sherman’s first game back in Seattle after spending seven seasons with the Seahawks before being released and signing with the 49ers (2-10) last March. He greeted former teammates during pregame warmups — even giving a brief handshake and hug to Wilson — and then had a mostly uneventful return. Early in the third quarter Wilson hit Baldwin on a short route and Sherman’s close friend shook off the tackle attempt and raced 21 yards for a first down.Sherman downplayed his return. He spent several minutes on the field postgame exchanging jerseys with Baldwin.“I’m a ballplayer and at the end of the day the field is the same length and everything else is the same,” Sherman said. “You just go out there and play your game and try to give your team the best chance to win, and unfortunately we didn’t get the win today.”Dante Pettis had two touchdown receptions , including a 75-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, for San Francisco. Mullens was 30 of 48 for 414 yards.CELEBRATION TIMESeattle’s wide receivers had plenty of chances to work on their touchdown celebrations.The first after Brown’s 4-yard catch in the first quarter was a nod to Sherman and Seahawks history. The group created a re-enactment of the famous tip play by Sherman in the 2013 NFC championship game against the 49ers. Late in the fourth quarter, Sherman tipped an end zone pass from Colin Kaepernick into the arms of Malcolm Smith for an interception that secured Seattle’s berth in the Super Bowl.Brown was the quarterback on the play ‘s re-enactment. Baldwin played the role of Sherman and David Moore was in the role of Smith, who is also playing for the 49ers.“We thought it’d be nice to give him a tribute if we had the opportunity to do so. I know it’s kind of weird. We’re scoring. He’s on the other team. We’re doing a tribute, but that was in our hearts this week,” Baldwin said.They capped their day of celebrations with the “Macarena ” following Brown’s second TD.INJURIESSeattle may have suffered a significant loss when guard D.J. Fluker had to be helped to the sideline early in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. Carroll said it was a significant pull. Fluker has been a key part of Seattle’s run-game resurgence and appeared very angry on the field about the injury. He did not return and left the field on a cart.Seattle running back Chris Carson suffered a dislocated finger in the fourth quarter but wasn’t deemed significant.San Francisco starting RB Matt Breida played only sparingly. He had five carries and three receptions.UP NEXT49ers: San Francisco returns home to host Denver next Sunday.Seahawks: Seattle hosts Minnesota next Monday night. Later this offseason, Football Outsiders will release their adjusted games lost stat, which details how teams stacked up in terms of injuries. Without having that information before us, we know the San Francisco 49ers were ravaged by injuries in 2018. Jimmy Garoppolo was the most notable name lost to injury, but they lost a sizable number of starters on both sides of the ball.We remember the big names on IR, but there are plenty of players who flew under the radar once they went on IR. Now that we are into the offseason, players shave been formally removed from IR and added back to the offseason 90-man roster. I thought now would be a good time to re-introduce some of these names. The list below is in order of when players were placed on season-ending injured reserve.RB Jerick McKinnon: September 3Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that McKinnon’s torn ACL put a crimp in his plans for the offense. Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson all took advantage of the opportunities presented by McKinnon’s absence, but the 49ers clearly have big plans for Jet in 2019. Breida’s emergence will make for a fascinating competition in OTAs, minicamp http://www.49erslockerroom.com/authentic-joe-staley-jersey , and training camp.LB Brock Coyle: September 12The 49ers linebacker plans went south in a hurry this season thanks to injuries and then Reuben Foster’s release. Coyle started in place of a suspended Foster in Week 1, but he suffered a C4 compression fracture in his back and went on IR shortly after. The 49ers signed him to a three-year extension last March, and he’ll be competing with Elijah Lee and potentially Malcolm Smith for some kind of role. Fred Warner will be starting at middle linebacker, and the question then is who will be starting at weak side linebacker.QB Jimmy Garoppolo: September 26The big one. Everything changed with this injury, and expectations for 2019 depend almost entirely on how Garoppolo returns from injury. Shanahan has said he thinks Garoppolo can be throwing in time for OTAs and minicamp, but until we see him on the field, we’ll be keeping an eye out for any and all news.S Adrian Colbert: October 22Colbert went on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 7. He was inconsistent after a solid close to 2017. In his absence, Jaquiski Tartt, Antone Exum, and D.J. Reed have all gotten playing time back there. 49ers fans (and Richard Sherman) are intrigued by the possibility of signing Earl Thomas. If the 49ers approach Thomas, that will tell us a lot more about what they think of Colbert and the rest of the free safeties.RB Raheem Mostert: November 2Two straight years Raheem Mostert has been the 49ers best special teams coverage player, and two years he has been placed on injured reserve. He suffered an MCL sprain in 2017 and a fractured forearm in 2018. The difference in 2018 was that he was a revelation as a running back, albeit in a small sample size. He worked his way into the running back rotation behind Breida, and had three big games. He finished his season with 261 rushing yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. I don’t think anybody saw this coming, and now he hits restricted free agency. The 49ers have a decision to make with how much they want to tender him, and what kind of role they foresee coming off an impressive 2018 season.CB Emmanuel Moseley: November 2The 49ers signed Moseley to the practice squad after final roster cuts. They promoted him to the 53-man roster on November 1st after having to rule out Antone Exum and Jaquiski Tartt, and having questions about Richard Sherman’s availability. Moseley played three special teams snaps before injuring his shoulder and going on IR. It is worth noting that at one point, his practice squad salary was roughly the equivalent of a 53-man roster spot. The team likes him, and maybe he earns a bigger opportunity this year.DB Jimmie Ward: November 27It was quite the year for the 49ers fifth year player. Injuries were once again a problem, as he missed a pair of games early in the season and then went on IR with a broken forearm. He opened the season as a reserve outside cornerback, and moved into the starting lineup in Week 3. After two weeks starting, he was out for a game with an injury, back in the starting lineup, and then out for another game. When he returned to the lineup in Week 8, the 49ers moved him to free safety in place of Adrian Colbert. He played there for three weeks, then broke his forearm. Ward is an unrestricted free agent DeForest Buckner Jersey White , and I honestly have no idea what his market will look like this spring.LB Dekoda Watson: December 5The 49ers actually placed Watson on injured reserve to open the season due to a hamstring injury. They eventually used one of their return designations to bring him (and Marcell Harris) back on November 1st. He played a right end role in his Week 9 return and had 1.5 sacks that week and another half sack in Week 10. He played two more games after the bye before suffering a season-ending calf injury. He lost weight prior to his midseason return, and could be someone to watch as a rotational guy in 2019. He is due a base salary of $1,450,000, roster bonus money of $200,000 and a $50,000 workout bonus. It’s not too expensive for a solid special teamer and decent rotational option.WR Pierre Gar莽on: December 11It was a brutal season for Gar莽on, who suffered a knee injury in Week 5 and was nagged by it until the team finally put him on injured reserve in Week 15. Prior to the injury, he had 24 receptions for 286 yards and one touchdown in eight active games. Coming off a 2017 season cut short by a neck injury, one has to wonder if he is nearing the end of the road. Kendrick Bourne and others will push him hard if he is not released early in the offseason.CB Ahkello Witherspoon: December 18This was one of the more disappointing injuries. Witherspoon had a rough start to the season, with inconsistent play resulting in a benching between Week 5 and 6. However, Witherspoon was starting to come on in the back half of the season before the injury ended his season in Week 15. He faces a significant competition from Tarvarius Moore this coming offseason, and the 49ers very well could add another cornerback to compete.S Jaquiski Tartt: December 21It was another up and down year for Tartt, who suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1. When healthy, has been a solid safety — earning a two-year extension last offseason. However, the shoulder injury was an issue that nagged him much of the season. He missed four games during the season before the final injury in Week 13 landed him on IR. Rookie Marcell Harris showed some signs in his place and will compete at the strong safety role. Adrian Colbert returns to compete at free safety. Tartt could be competing at both positions in 2019, or could potentially work his way into a money-backer type of role.RB Matt Breida: December 29It was a breakout campaign for Breida, but a nagging ankle injury eventually ended his season. Breida had 814 rushing yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and 261 receiving yards before going on IR in the final week. He got a huge chance after McKinnon went on IR, and he ran with it. It could make for a heck of a duo seeing Breida and McKinnon complementing each other out of the backfield in 2019.WR Dante Pettis: December 29Halfway through the season, it was looking like a mostly lost season for the second round pick. However, he took over for Marquise Goodwin in Week 12 and looked great for a four week stretch. He had 17 receptions for 338 yards and four touchdowns in that four game stretch. George Kittle was the leading pass catcher during that period, but Pettis showed he could be a big-time playmaker in the passing game. The 49ers need another playmaker on offense, but maybe the 49ers look for another big time tight end and stick with their receiving corps as is?
the Seattle Seahawks will be interested in an EDGE prospect or not is their short shuttle time. Though their threshold for that test Quinton Jefferson Jersey , 4.3 seconds, isn’t..."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections VideosCoffee and CigarettesGame AnalysisThe Numbers GameCigar Thoughts2019 NFL DraftA strict threshold for the Seahawks at EDGE could be put to the test in the 2019 NFL DraftNew,9commentsPDTShareTweetShareShareA strict threshold for the Seahawks at EDGE could be put to the test in the 2019 NFL DraftJason Getz-USA TODAY SportsOne of the clearest indicators of whether the Seattle Seahawks will be interested in an EDGE prospect or not is their short shuttle time. Though their threshold for that test, 4.3 seconds, isn’t overly exceptional, they often target those who do test exceptionally in the drill. Frank Clark (97th percentile), Cassius Marsh (84th percentile) and Bruce Irvin (96th percentile*) all had the quickest short shuttle among EDGEs in their draft class, and all three had their names called by the Seahawks on draft day. *Irvin’s 96th percentile short shuttle is compared to outside linebackers, not defensive ends. His measurables versus defensive ends are not available on the great MockDraftable.comHowever, for as much stock as Seattle gives to short shuttle times and the agility that drill tests in prospects, arm length is valued even greater. Of the 10 EDGEs the Seahawks have drafted since 2010, every single one of them have had arms 33” or longer. Even players like Rasheem Green or Greg Scruggs, who projected as edge defenders who would reduce inside—where the arm length requirement drops to 32”—had 33-plus inch arms. The 2019 NFL Draft’s EDGE group has tremendous talent at the top, however Seattle may be too far down the board—presumably after a trade down—to land a Montez Sweat or Brian Burns, two blue chip rushers who check all the Seahawks’ boxes. As a result, Seattle may be put in a tough spot choosing from a second wave of edge rushers, all of whom have short comings, if it remains their top priority. Michigan’s Chase Winovich, the Scouting Combine’s top performer in the short shuttle among EDGEs (4.11 seconds), could be that pass rusher. He performed terrifically in the agility tests and plays relentless, physical football. His first step and burst off the line is impressive—another trait the Seahawks value highly in their pass rushers. Seattle was in attendance for his recent pro day and will surely be impressed with the traits and the player. However, Winovich would also be a test of the Seahawks’ arm length threshold. With 32 3/4” arms, Winovich falls just short of what has so far proven to be a requirement. Winovich’s length deficiency could be a non-starter for Seattle. Conversely, he could be the one to buck the trend as a result of a pressing need. Over the course of nine drafts, Pete Carroll and John Schneider have displayed a particular love of agility and change of direction, tested by the short shuttle, and length, in their edge rushers. In Winovich, those two measurements would be put up against one another. On Saturday the Seattle Seahawks take on the Dallas Cowboys in a return to the playoffs after having sat at home during the 2017 postseason. A big portion of the credit in the team making its return to the postseason has been given to the offensive line, which was a much more experienced unit in 2018 due to both the return of J.R. Sweezy and the addition of D.J. Fluker. To discuss the effects of offensive line continuity in general, as well as on the Seahawks revitalized run game, I reached out to Thomas Emerick, an NFL contributor at Sporting News who has done quite of looking into the value of continuity for offensive lines. I asked some basic questions about offensive line continuity in general, and then specifically as it pertains to the Seahawks. He’s a quality follow on Twitter (@ThomasEmerick) and a big thanks to him for answering these questions for us. Question: You’ve done a lot of research about the effects of continuity on the run game for offensive lines, and can you kind of discuss what you’ve found in terms of Run Continuity Projection (RPC) and Answer: Like many measures, it’s especially helpful to have control stay in place over multiple years like offensive scheme/coach, OL personnel quality/fit, and featured back. You get some great case studies when these factors stay constant while offensive line continuity — or that OL/RCP number I’ve used to contextualize over the years — goes through significant change. Lack of OL continuity adds an obstacle in accruing rush yards Justin Britt Jersey , though a rather high rate of the exceptions seem to come from teams with new head coaches. A successful change in offensive scheme seems to throw a wrench things when looking for correlation, just as it presents something new for opposing defensive coordinators to confront.So to touch on this idea of new head coach bucking continuity trends, from 2011-2017 we saw 23 percent of teams roll in with a new head coach to start the season. But of rushers who managed to finish top 10 in yards behind OLs replacing multiple starters, 43 percent come from teams with new HC.Teams that produced top 10 rushers averaged 3.56 returning OL starters, 3.7 for top 5. Remove teams w/ new head coaches from sample and it’s 3.64 for top 10 and 4.1 for top 5Teams w/ bottom 10 @PFF run block grade 3.08, bottom 5 is 2.83. Remove new HC teams & bottom 10/bottom 5 is 3.13/2.88Removing new HC teams from the sample, the multi-OL replacement rate for top 10 rushers then decreases by 23 percent. Not the most robust sample, but trying to work within stark change to practice restrictions in 2011 CBA, so then onward.Also, here’s my record of offensive line starters based on how it shook out Week 1 this season. I went back-slash for players who were in line to start but weren’t cleared for Week 1 specifically — another complication for this metric. For quantifying OL continuity, I just counted the actual Week 1 starter as I had done for previous years. In the case of RG Austin Blythe for the Los Angeles Rams he just kept the job after the starter’s suspension and it worked out, while Indy’s Joe Haeg qualified as returning starter when he filled in for LT Anthony Castonzo. With Jack Conklin, and he ended up recovering from injury enough to seize his RT spot for the Titans, but didn’t really find his peak form before hitting IR. Pat Elflein not being ready W1 was among many harbingers for Vikes’ line.Question: Obviously, any prediction will have hits and misses since there are always unforeseen events that pop up that could not have been anticipated, but how accurate has RCP been during your time using it? Answer: I think it adds good context at the extremes, largely for flagging players who could take a step back or forward in rushing production. Small sample stuff comparing whole OL units since the CBA — while factoring in noise of scheme and runner — but there was decent correlation all things considered in the first few years, particularly with individual rushing yards and Pro Football Focus run-block grade at the extremes. I detailed a couple examples from Arian Foster and DeMarco Murray before cautioning against CJ Anderson heading into 2015. It’s also interesting that the past 17 leading rushers returned majority of OL starters and 15 returned 4+. Last to buck this Priest Holmes ‘01, in the early stage for an all-time great KC unit.After the 2015 season when Todd Gurley and Doug Martin managed to produce at an incredible rate given how hard they had to work for their yards, I began to find this metric equally if not more useful in just finding avenues to explore OL impact, and the overall context around rushing production. It’s best as an instrument in that regard, though there is value in the context it adds to other factors that have shown more predictive value for total rushing yards (like carry volume) or less value (probably previous-year YPC among others). Question: Can you talk about RCP as it relates to the 2018 Seattle Seahawks o-line? And how does that continuity compare to Hawks lines in prior seasons? Answer: The Seahawks avoided replacing multiple starters for the first time since 2014 — the year before parting ways with Max Unger and James Carpenter — as four returning starters gave them more than 2017 (2), 2016 (3), and 2015 (3). Marshawn Lynch landed top six in rush yards in three straight years prior while the Hawks emphasized starting OL continuity in 2014 (4), 2013 (5), and 2012 (5). Here’s who I had recorded as returning starters for each team in Week 1, based on listed starters for that week at Pro Football Reference.Question: Knowing that two of the Seahawks five current starters are free agents in the spring, what do things look like in terms of continuity for 2019? Answer: With JR Sweezy and DJ Fluker UFA, George Fant RFA and Jordan Simmons ERFA, will be interesting to see who stays, as two qualify as returning starters between the four of them. I’ll be updating a bunch on this front now that regular season has ended.Question: How does the way the Hawks have used George Fant as a sixth lineman affect the metrics going forward? Answer: Fant would not qualify as returning starter for 2019 since he’d have to get >50% snaps or enter Week 1 as starter in 2018.Question: Is your work able to track any of the individual player improvement over time as a younger lineman or TE gains more experience? Answer: This purely tracks continuity, that sliver in the rapidly developing frontier of OL metrics. Early in my tinkering with this metric I had counted 250-plus run block snaps for TEs as partial credit in run-block continuity. Since TEs increasingly don’t need to be any good at run-blocking to be on the field, it didn’t seem intuitive to factor it in and standardize. So I am still looking for ways to improve it while keeping the scope in the best position parse meaning and context of OL continuity for rushing production. Just looking for more ways to peel that onion.That is certainly some interesting data, and I appreciate Mr. Emerick taking the time to address these questions. The Seahawks successfully made it back to the playoffs this season, and the question is now what the team can do both this weekend in the Wild Card game, as well as into the future.
BUFFALO Mika Zibanejad Jersey , N.Y. (AP) —Sabres end a long drought without a winning record.Eichel, the Sabres’ 21-year-old captain, scored two goals in a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.With its second straight victory, Buffalo (2-1-0) has more wins than losses for the first time since the third game of the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.“I think we are coming together as a group,” said Eichel, who also had a goal and an assist in Buffalo’s 3-1 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday.“We are not a finished product by any means, but I think you can see the desperation in which we play with and the togetherness that we play with in the last few games.”Marco Scandella and Jason Pominville had the other goals and Carter Hutton made 35 saves for the Sabres. Hutton was coming off a 43-save performance against the Rangers.“It’s nice to get off to a good start,” said Pominville, who was part of the 2013 Sabres before being traded to the Minnesota Wild late in the season, and returned to Buffalo in a trade prior to last season. “It’s a different vibe, different atmosphere.”Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault scored for the Golden Knights (1-2-0), playing the second of a five-game road trip. Haula had the winning shootout goal in Vegas’ victory at Minnesota on Saturday. Marc-Andre Fleury made 13 saves.“We weren’t mentally sharp Womens Pavel Buchnevich Jersey ,” Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. “There were mental lapses in the D-zone and a guy left wide open. You couldn’t blame Fleury on any of the goals.”The Golden Knights put more shots on goal than the Sabres in all three periods, though Gallant said they did not generate many good scoring chances.The Sabres were also outshot in each period of their win over the Rangers.“When you are winning games and not playing your best, it’s a really good sign,” Eichel said.Buffalo had only five shots on goal in the second period, but was able to score three times in about five minutes.“We limited them to a low number of shots, however, the shots they did get were Grade-A opportunities,” Vegas forward Max Pacioretty said. “We can’t hang our goaltender out to dry like that.”Eichel tucked a backhand around Fleury’s poke-check for his third of the season to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead five minutes into the period. Sam Reinhart slipped a pass between the skates of Vegas defenseman Deryk Engelland to set up Eichel in front of the net.The Golden Knights got on the board less than three minutes later when Haula sent a wrist shot from outside the right circle past Hutton.The Sabres responded with two goals in a 1:28 span. Scandella floated a long shot from the blue line over Fleury’s glove just 27 seconds after Vegas scored. Evan Rodrigues fed Pominville for a one-timer to make it 4-1 midway through the second.Buffalo never relinquished the lead after Rasmus Ristolainen slid the puck to Eichel for a one-timer from the left circle on a power play with 5:29 left in the first period.Marchessault scored his second of the season for Vegas on an unassisted wrist shot from the high slot with 9:13 left in the third period.NOTES: The Golden Knights are 0 for 8 on the power play through the first three games. … Vegas didn’t have its second loss until the 10th game of last season. … The Golden Knights beat the Sabres in both meetings last season, winning in overtime at home and in a shootout in Buffalo. … Sabres C Johan Larsson practiced Sunday for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury on Sept. 26 and is nearing a return.UP NEXTVegas: Continues East Coast trip at Washington on Wednesday in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final.Buffalo: Wraps up four-game homestand Thursday against Colorado. The Toronto Maple Leafs聽moved to 5-1-0 on the season after a 4-2 road win against the Washington Capitals, but Lars Eller isn't buying the hype on Auston Matthews and company.Despite an impressive victory against his defending Stanley Cup champions, Eller doesn't see a big deal in this Toronto team, even though he compared them to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin."We were just playing against Crosby and Malkin Vladislav Namestnikov Jersey , so everything kind of drops off from there. It's not that special, to be honest," Eller said, via Isabelle聽Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. "It's a good team, like a lot of others. They'll probably be a playoff team, I would think."advertisingMatthews leads the NHL in goals (10), and points (14). Morgan Rielly comes in at second in league scoring with 12 points, while John Tavares (10), and Mitch Marner (10), are tied for third.The Maple Leafs have lived up to the early season hype, as the Matthews-Tavares duo continues to take the NHL by storm. Yes, there are 76 games left for Toronto in the regular season Bobby Ryan Jersey , but this group has shown it's going to be increasingly difficult to stop this powerhouse. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsThe Leafs have beaten a handful of quality teams, too. Saturday marked their fourth consecutive road win; they beat the Chicago Blackhawks 7-6 in overtime last Sunday and followed it up with a 5-3 victory over the Dallas Stars.advertisingToronto's defense hasn't been great, however, as their 22 goals against are second-most in the NHL. That being said, it should be noted that they've played more games (six), than every other team, with the exceptions of the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights.The Maple Leafs have made it obvious that they're the best team in the NHL through the first two weeks. But with great performances come great pressure, and the goal now is for them to sustain this all the way throughout the 2018-19 season. That's easier said than done, though.
Tarasenko scored and Jordan Binnington stopped 25 shots in his first NHL start to lead the St. Louis Blues past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 on Monday night in a listless game between two of the worst teams in the league.David Perron scored an empty-netter in the final minutes for St. Louis.The 25-year-old Binnington had played just two games in mop-up duty this season behind Jake Allen. He was sent to the minors in December to keep fresh and earned three wins with a shutout to earn AHL player of the week honors. He was called up — and got the call to start against the hapless Flyers.The win gave the Blues 38 points and moved them past Los Angeles Patrick Maroon Jersey Womens , out of last place in the Western Conference. Only Ottawa has fewer points than the Flyers (36) in the East after Philadelphia’s seventh straight loss. Both teams fired their coaches this season.The Flyers have scored only 12 goals over their seven-game losing streak, their longest losing streak since they went 0-5-5 over November-December last season.PREDATORS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 0TORONTO (AP) — Pekka Rinne made 18 saves for his third shutout of the season and the 54th of his career as Nashville blanked Toronto.Mattias Ekholm, Kevin Fiala and Colton Sissons each had goal and an assist for Nashville, and P.K. Subban also scored.Rinne is now tied with Marc-Andre Fleury, Bernie Parent and Ed Giacomin for 21st on the all-time shutout list.Michael Hutchinson stopped 28 shots for the Maple Leafs Tyler Bozak Jersey Womens , who hit the post three times and had a goal called back for offside.WILD 1, CANADIENS 0MONTREAL (AP) — Mikael Granlund scored and Devan Dubnyk stopped 32 shots for his first shutout of the season for Minnesota.The Wild have won three straight games, all on the road.Carey Price stopped 24 shots for the Canadiens, who have dropped two in a row.Montreal lost Shea Weber to injury. The Canadiens’ captain was hit in the face by a puck while blocking a shot six minutes into the first period. He played seven more shifts in the period, but did not return for the second.FLAMES 4, BLACKHAWKS 3CHICAGO (AP) — Johnny Gaudreau scored two goals Chad Johnson Jersey Womens , David Rittich made 32 saves and Calgary edged Chicago.Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist as Western Conference-leading Calgary closed out a 3-1 trip with its second straight win. Garnet Hathaway scored an empty-net goal with 50 seconds left, and Elias Lindholm finished with two assists.Gaudreau extended his goal-scoring streak to five games.Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks in the opener of a three-game homestand. Alex DeBrincat and Brandon Saad also scored, and Collin Delia made 39 stops.SHARKS 3, KINGS 1SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Erik Karlsson had three assists, Tomas Hertl scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second period and surging San Jose defeated Los Angeles.Joonas Donskoi and Joe Thornton also scored for San Jose. Martin Jones made 22 saves as the Sharks won their fifth in six games.Anze Kopitar had a goal and Jack Campbell turned back 26 shots for the Kings Brian Flynn Jersey Womens , who have lost three of four. SEATTLE (AP) The group looking to bring professional hockey to Seattle has taken the next step in the pursuit of an NHL franchise.The Oak View Group and its prospective NHL ownership group, led by billionaire David Bonderman and filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer, submitted its expansion application with the National Hockey League on Tuesday.”We are excited for the next steps in the process and our continued partnership with the City of Seattle,” Oak View CEO Tim Leiweke said in a statement.The expansion application has been expected for weeks and is the next step in Seattle’s ongoing hope of bringing an NHL franchise to the largest market in the United States without a professional winter sports franchise. The filing also included a $10 million deposit. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan also tweeted her excitement about Oak View’s filing with the NHL.If Seattle is successful in its expansion bid, the new franchise would bring the league to an even 32 teams with 16 in each conference. A new team would also yield a hefty expansion fee – in the neighborhood of $650 million.The expansion application is a procedural step that was necessary to validate Oak View’s intent on making Seattle the next NHL market. Seattle’s application will be reviewed and ultimately the league’s executive committee will make a recommendation to the full NHL Board of Governors. The timeline for that is unknown.The expansion franchise process is running concurrent with a $660 million remodel of KeyArena being privately financed by OVG. The group has an aggressive timeline for construction that could have the renovated building open in time for the 2020-21 NHL season.The first test in how willing Seattle is to embrace the NHL will arrive in the coming weeks and months when the prospective ownership group begins a season-ticket drive, the same way the league tested Las Vegas. Any NHL team in Seattle would find a completely different landscape than a decade ago when the Sonics and NBA moved to Oklahoma City and the city lost its winter sports outlet.Seattle’s skyline is filled with as many construction cranes as snowcapped peaks in the surrounding mountains. Amazon has taken over an entire section of the city Christian Folin Jersey Womens , joined nearby by satellite offices of Google and Facebook. The amount of wealth now in the Seattle market is part of the reason Oak View CEO Tim Leiweke has regularly called Seattle ”a brilliant marketplace” and one of the most enticing expansion opportunities in pro sports history.Seattle has become a city of transplants due to the booming local economy. A hockey franchise would provide those newcomers a team to rally around, much like what happened when the Sounders of the MLS arrived in 2009.But finding a foothold in Seattle will be an examination of how starved fans are for another team. Basketball is embedded in the DNA of the region thanks to 41 years of the SuperSonics until 2008 and a lengthy history of producing NBA talent.While the ownership group for the potential NHL franchise appears set, there remains some concern about having the new arena ready by the 2020 season. OVG and the city reached agreement on a memorandum of understanding for the arena in December. Councilmembers praised the agreement for including benefits for the city, including $20 million in cash and in-kind contributions to nonprofit organizations and another $40 million to help improve transportation in the area around Seattle Center.The MOU was the first step in a process that will include an environmental review. The city still needs to finalize several key documents with the developer, including the lease and other agreements.Under the MOU, Oak View Group would be responsible for regular facility upgrades for the life of the 39-year lease agreement. Should those upgrade requirements be met David Perron Jersey Womens , there are two eight-year lease extensions that will be activated, and carry the entire life of the lease agreement to 55 years.—AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow contributed to this report.
NEWARK Sam Gagner Jersey , N.J. (AP) —Blackwood stopped 37 shots for his first shutout and Pavel Zacha scored short-handed as the New Jersey Devils beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0 on Saturday.It was the second straight victory for Blackwood, giving the Devils their first two-game winning streak since Nov. 13-15. Andy Greene added an empty-netter to seal the win.Curtis McElhinney made 28 saves for the Hurricanes who have lost four of their last five.Zacha broke a scoreless deadlock with 36 seconds left in the second period. He poked the puck away from Carolina’s Justin Faulk and sped into the Hurricanes’ zone. McElhinney made the initial stop and Zacha stayed with the play to collar the rebound and flip it into the net.WILD 3, JETS 1WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Devan Dubnyk stopped 26 shots to help Minnesota end a season-high five-game losing streak.Defenseman Matt Bartkowski scored in his debut with the Wild, and Charlie Coyle and Eric Fehr also scored. Zach Parise had two assists.Patrik Laine scored on the power play for his 24th goal of the season for Winnipeg, and his first point in five games. Connor Hellebuyck finished with 21 saves for the Central Division-leading Jets.Winnipeg has lost two straight for just the second time this season.The Wild were 0-4-1 in the last five games, with only five goals during the stretch.BLACKHAWKS 3, AVALANCHE 2 OTDENVER (AP) — Patrick Kane scored his second goal of the game 41 seconds into overtime as Chicago outlasted Colorado.The Blackhawks were on a power play when Kane knocked in the decisive shot from the slot off a feed from Jonathan Toews for Chicago’s fifth win in six games. Two have come at the expense of the Avalanche, who lost their fourth straight.Kane has a seven-game point streak and leads the Blackhawks with 22 goals.Alex Debrincat also scored for Chicago. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen had the goals for Colorado.SHARKS 7, OILERS 4EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Erik Karlsson had a goal and three assists, Logan Couture and Melker Karlsson each scored twice, and San Jose beat slumping Edmonton.Joonas Donskoi and Tomas Hertl also scored for the Sharks, who have won two in a row.Connor McDavid had two goals and Caleb Jones and Leon Draisaitl also scored for the Oilers, who have lost a season-high five straight.McDavid got Edmonton on the board 6 1/2 minutes in, but Donskoi scored 17 seconds later. That was the first of six straight San Jose goals.GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4 Womens Devante Smith-Pelly Jersey , KINGS 1LOS ANGELES (AP) — Malcolm Subban stopped 30 shots to help the Vegas beat Los Angeles and snap the Kings‘ four-game winning streak.William Carrier, Alex Tuch, William Karlsson and Paul Stastny scored as the Golden Knights improved to 6-1-3 in their last 10 games.Anze Kopitar scored for the Kings, and Jonathan Quick finished with 27 saves.PANTHERS 2, FLYERS 1SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Jonathan Huberdeau scored with 1:06 left to cap a third-period rally and lift Florida.Huberdeau scored his 10th goal by finishing a pass from Aleksander Barkov after Mike Hoffman scored a tying goal on the power play with just under seven minutes left.Shayne Gostisbehere scored for the Flyers, who lost their second straight.Barkov had two assists, and James Reimer stopped 34 shots. Carter Hart had 34 saves for the Flyers.BRUINS 3, SABRES 2BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Sean Kuraly scored 3:44 into overtime to give Boston a win over Buffalo.Jake DeBrusk and Noel Acciari scored in regulation for Boston. Tuukka Rask made 26 saves.Kuraly’s game-winner was a terrific one-man effort. His initial shot from the top of the left circle led to a big rebound, and Kuraly followed up with speed to chip the loose puck into the net.Johan Larsson and Marco Scandella scored for Buffalo. Carter Hutton stopped 38 shots.ISLANDERS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 0TORONTO (AP) — Mathew Barzal scored a natural hat trick in the second period and Valtteri Filppula had a highlight-reel goal as New York prevailed in its first game against former captain John Tavares.New York has won six of seven. Robin Lehner made 36 saves for his second shutout of the season, and Ryan Pulock had two assists.The Islanders pounded the Maple Leafs in a reunion with Tavares, who signed with Toronto as a free agent July 1. The 28-year-old played nine seasons in New York, collecting 272 goals and 349 assists for 621 points in 669 games.Garret Sparks stopped 24 shots as Toronto had its five-game winning streak halted.CAPITALS 3, SENATORS 2OTTAWA http://www.officialcanucks.com/authentic-adidas-sven-baertschi-jersey , Ontario (AP) — Tom Wilson and Tyler Lewington each had a goal and an assist in Washington’s win over short-handed Ottawa.The Capitals have won four straight, and the Senators have dropped four in a row.Madison Bowey also scored for the Capitals, and Pheonix Copley made 31 saves.The Senators were without defenseman Thomas Chabot and fellow blue-liner Christian Jaros following injuries Friday in a 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders. Jaros broke a finger, and Chabot was placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury following a hit from Islanders forward Matt Murray in the second period.Goaltender Marcus Hogberg made his NHL debut and finished with 21 saves, and Colin White and Mark Stone scored for the Senators, who are last in the Eastern Conference.LIGHTNING 6, CANADIENS 5TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Adam Erne scored twice in the third period, including the go-ahead goal with 1:02 left, and NHL-leading Tampa Bay extended its point streak to 14 games.Nikita Kucherov extended his point streak to 10 games (six goals, 15 assists) with a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay. He is the 14th player in NHL history to post multiple point streaks of 10 or more games in consecutive seasons. The only other player to do so since 1994-95 is Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin (2007-08 and 2008-09).The Lightning, who are 13-0-1 during their current run, also got goals from Yanni Gourde, Anton Stralman and Tyler Johnson. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves.Andrew Shaw had two goals, and Kenny Agostino, Jordie Benn and Brett Kulak also scored for the Canadiens. Phillip Danault had three assists Alex Tuch Jersey Kids , and Antti Niemi stopped 26 shots.RANGERS 4, PREDATORS 3NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jesper Fast scored two goals, including the game winner, and added an assist as New York snapped a three-game losing streak.Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist, Marc Stall added a score and Mika Zibanejad had a career-high four assists for the Rangers, who earned their first road win in regulation this season. Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves.Nick Bonino scored a pair of power-play goals and Kevin Fiala also scored and had two assists for the Predators, who have lost six straight. Pekka Rinne made 18 saves.STARS 5, RED WINGS 1DALLAS (AP) — Alexander Radulov scored twice and Dallas routed Detroit.The win comes a night after the Stars‘ front office ripped captain Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin by saying the high-priced forwards were underperforming for a team falling short of expectations.Seguin had an assist and Benn was held without a point for the ninth time in 10 games.Ben Bishop stopped 33 shots for the Stars.Blake Comeau, Tyler Pitlick and Jason Spezza also scored for the Stars.Detroit’s Dylan Larkin ended the shutout early in the third period and extended his career-best points streak to 13 games, the longest active streak in the NHL.PENGUINS 6, BLUES 1ST. LOUIS (AP) — Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to lead surging Pittsburgh.Juuso Riikola, Zach Aston-Reese, Kris Letang, Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin also scored for the Penguins, who converted on all four power plays. Pittsburgh has won a season-best five consecutive games.Matt Murray stopped 30 shots. He has won five straight starts since returning from a lower-body injury on Dec. 15.Jake Allen allowed four goals on 17 shots before getting pulled for Jordan Binnington almost halfway through the game.David Perron scored his 13th in the second period to break up the shutout bid.CANUCKS 3 http://www.officialknightsproshop.com/authentic-adidas-brad-hunt-jersey , FLAMES 2 OTCALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Alex Edler scored 3:06 into overtime for Vancouver.In a back-and-forth overtime, Brock Boeser sent a pass to Edler, whose shot dribbled through the pads of David Rittich.Boeser and Elias Pettersson also scored for Vancouver.The Canucks are 5-0-1 in their last six road games. Vancouver has four points through the first two stops of their six-game trip.Mark Jankowski and Travis Hamonic scored short-handed goals for Calgary.COYOTES 5, DUCKS 4 OTANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Nick Schmaltz scored 33 seconds into overtime and Arizona rallied from a two-goal deficit.The Coyotes trailed 4-2 less than nine minutes into the second but tied it before the period was over. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Christian Fischer, Nick Cousins and Jakob Chychrun also scored for Arizona, and Adin Hill stopped 37 shots.Alex Galchenyuk and Clayton Keller each had two assists. SchmaltNEWARK Sam Gagner Jersey , N.J. (AP) — Rookie goalie MacKenzie Blackwood stopped 37 shots for his first shutout and Pavel Zacha scored short-handed as the New Jersey Devils beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0 on Saturday.It was the second straight victory for Blackwood, giving the Devils their first two-game winning streak since Nov. 13-15. Andy Greene added an empty-netter to seal the win.Curtis McElhinney made 28 saves for the Hurricanes who have lost four of their last five.Zacha broke a scoreless deadlock with 36 seconds left in the second period. He poked the puck away from Carolina’s Justin Faulk and sped into the Hurricanes’ zone. McElhinney made the initial stop and Zacha stayed with the play to collar the rebound and flip it into the net.WILD 3, JETS 1WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Devan Dubnyk stopped 26 shots to help Minnesota end a season-high five-game losing streak.Defenseman Matt Bartkowski scored in his debut with the Wild, and Charlie Coyle and Eric Fehr also scored. Zach Parise had two assists.Patrik Laine scored on the power play for his 24th goal of the season for Winnipeg, and his first point in five games. Connor Hellebuyck finished with 21 saves for the Central Division-leading Jets.Winnipeg has lost two straight for just the second time this season.The Wild were 0-4-1 in the last five games, with only five goals during the stretch.BLACKHAWKS 3, AVALANCHE 2 OTDENVER (AP) — Patrick Kane scored his second goal of the game 41 seconds into overtime as Chicago outlasted Colorado.The Blackhawks were on a power play when Kane knocked in the decisive shot from the slot off a feed from Jonathan Toews for Chicago’s fifth win in six games. Two have come at the expense of the Avalanche, who lost their fourth straight.Kane has a seven-game point streak and leads the Blackhawks with 22 goals.Alex Debrincat also scored for Chicago. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen had the goals for Colorado.SHARKS 7, OILERS 4EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Erik Karlsson had a goal and three assists, Logan Couture and Melker Karlsson each scored twice, and San Jose beat slumping Edmonton.Joonas Donskoi and Tomas Hertl also scored for the Sharks, who have won two in a row.Connor McDavid had two goals and Caleb Jones and Leon Draisaitl also scored for the Oilers, who have lost a season-high five straight.McDavid got Edmonton on the board 6 1/2 minutes in, but Donskoi scored 17 seconds later. That was the first of six straight San Jose goals.GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4 Womens Devante Smith-Pelly Jersey , KINGS 1LOS ANGELES (AP) — Malcolm Subban stopped 30 shots to help the Vegas beat Los Angeles and snap the Kings‘ four-game winning streak.William Carrier, Alex Tuch, William Karlsson and Paul Stastny scored as the Golden Knights improved to 6-1-3 in their last 10 games.Anze Kopitar scored for the Kings, and Jonathan Quick finished with 27 saves.PANTHERS 2, FLYERS 1SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Jonathan Huberdeau scored with 1:06 left to cap a third-period rally and lift Florida.Huberdeau scored his 10th goal by finishing a pass from Aleksander Barkov after Mike Hoffman scored a tying goal on the power play with just under seven minutes left.Shayne Gostisbehere scored for the Flyers, who lost their second straight.Barkov had two assists, and James Reimer stopped 34 shots. Carter Hart had 34 saves for the Flyers.BRUINS 3, SABRES 2BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Sean Kuraly scored 3:44 into overtime to give Boston a win over Buffalo.Jake DeBrusk and Noel Acciari scored in regulation for Boston. Tuukka Rask made 26 saves.Kuraly’s game-winner was a terrific one-man effort. His initial shot from the top of the left circle led to a big rebound, and Kuraly followed up with speed to chip the loose puck into the net.Johan Larsson and Marco Scandella scored for Buffalo. Carter Hutton stopped 38 shots.ISLANDERS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 0TORONTO (AP) — Mathew Barzal scored a natural hat trick in the second period and Valtteri Filppula had a highlight-reel goal as New York prevailed in its first game against former captain John Tavares.New York has won six of seven. Robin Lehner made 36 saves for his second shutout of the season, and Ryan Pulock had two assists.The Islanders pounded the Maple Leafs in a reunion with Tavares, who signed with Toronto as a free agent July 1. The 28-year-old played nine seasons in New York, collecting 272 goals and 349 assists for 621 points in 669 games.Garret Sparks stopped 24 shots as Toronto had its five-game winning streak halted.CAPITALS 3, SENATORS 2OTTAWA http://www.officialcanucks.com/authentic-adidas-sven-baertschi-jersey , Ontario (AP) — Tom Wilson and Tyler Lewington each had a goal and an assist in Washington’s win over short-handed Ottawa.The Capitals have won four straight, and the Senators have dropped four in a row.Madison Bowey also scored for the Capitals, and Pheonix Copley made 31 saves.The Senators were without defenseman Thomas Chabot and fellow blue-liner Christian Jaros following injuries Friday in a 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders. Jaros broke a finger, and Chabot was placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury following a hit from Islanders forward Matt Murray in the second period.Goaltender Marcus Hogberg made his NHL debut and finished with 21 saves, and Colin White and Mark Stone scored for the Senators, who are last in the Eastern Conference.LIGHTNING 6, CANADIENS 5TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Adam Erne scored twice in the third period, including the go-ahead goal with 1:02 left, and NHL-leading Tampa Bay extended its point streak to 14 games.Nikita Kucherov extended his point streak to 10 games (six goals, 15 assists) with a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay. He is the 14th player in NHL history to post multiple point streaks of 10 or more games in consecutive seasons. The only other player to do so since 1994-95 is Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin (2007-08 and 2008-09).The Lightning, who are 13-0-1 during their current run, also got goals from Yanni Gourde, Anton Stralman and Tyler Johnson. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves.Andrew Shaw had two goals, and Kenny Agostino, Jordie Benn and Brett Kulak also scored for the Canadiens. Phillip Danault had three assists Alex Tuch Jersey Kids , and Antti Niemi stopped 26 shots.RANGERS 4, PREDATORS 3NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jesper Fast scored two goals, including the game winner, and added an assist as New York snapped a three-game losing streak.Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist, Marc Stall added a score and Mika Zibanejad had a career-high four assists for the Rangers, who earned their first road win in regulation this season. Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves.Nick Bonino scored a pair of power-play goals and Kevin Fiala also scored and had two assists for the Predators, who have lost six straight. Pekka Rinne made 18 saves.STARS 5, RED WINGS 1DALLAS (AP) — Alexander Radulov scored twice and Dallas routed Detroit.The win comes a night after the Stars‘ front office ripped captain Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin by saying the high-priced forwards were underperforming for a team falling short of expectations.Seguin had an assist and Benn was held without a point for the ninth time in 10 games.Ben Bishop stopped 33 shots for the Stars.Blake Comeau, Tyler Pitlick and Jason Spezza also scored for the Stars.Detroit’s Dylan Larkin ended the shutout early in the third period and extended his career-best points streak to 13 games, the longest active streak in the NHL.PENGUINS 6, BLUES 1ST. LOUIS (AP) — Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to lead surging Pittsburgh.Juuso Riikola, Zach Aston-Reese, Kris Letang, Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin also scored for the Penguins, who converted on all four power plays. Pittsburgh has won a season-best five consecutive games.Matt Murray stopped 30 shots. He has won five straight starts since returning from a lower-body injury on Dec. 15.Jake Allen allowed four goals on 17 shots before getting pulled for Jordan Binnington almost halfway through the game.David Perron scored his 13th in the second period to break up the shutout bid.CANUCKS 3 http://www.officialknightsproshop.com/authentic-adidas-brad-hunt-jersey , FLAMES 2 OTCALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Alex Edler scored 3:06 into overtime for Vancouver.In a back-and-forth overtime, Brock Boeser sent a pass to Edler, whose shot dribbled through the pads of David Rittich.Boeser and Elias Pettersson also scored for Vancouver.The Canucks are 5-0-1 in their last six road games. Vancouver has four points through the first two stops of their six-game trip.Mark Jankowski and Travis Hamonic scored short-handed goals for Calgary.COYOTES 5, DUCKS 4 OTANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Nick Schmaltz scored 33 seconds into overtime and Arizona rallied from a two-goal deficit.The Coyotes trailed 4-2 less than nine minutes into the second but tied it before the period was over. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Christian Fischer, Nick Cousins and Jakob Chychrun also scored for Arizona, and Adin Hill stopped 37 shots.Alex Galchenyuk and Clayton Keller each had two assists. Schmaltz and Ekman-Larsson also had assists for multi-point games.Ondrej Kase had two goals for the Ducks, who have dropped five straight. Daniel Sprong and Adam Henrique also scored. Nick Ritchie had three assists and John Gibson made 25 saves. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson says the arrest last year that led to his 18-game suspension came when he started drinking again after 23 months of sobriety.Watson, who turns 27 on Sunday, said Friday in an Instagram post that he’s been dealing with anxiety, depression and alcoholism since the age of 18. Watson said he voluntarily entered the NHL’s substance abuse program after his June 16 arrest.“I am currently sober and committed to living a healthy lifestyle so that I can be the father, partner, teammate and person I want to be Cody Eakin Jersey ,” Watson said.Watson pleaded no contest July 24 to domestic assault and agreed to a judicial diversion program that enabled the misdemeanor charge to be dismissed if he served three months of probation and completed an in-patient treatment program and a batterer’s intervention program.He initially received a 27-game suspension from the NHL, but an arbitrator reduced it to 18 games. He was reinstated in mid-November and has six goals and two assists in 28 games this season.Watson was arrested in connection with a June 16 incident after a witness flagged down a police officer to a gas station in Franklin Tennessee. According to the incident report, Watson told police he and his girlfriend were arguing and that he pushed her. Officers said they found red marks on her chest, and she said Watson caused them.Watson’s girlfriend, Jenn Guardino, issued a statement in October taking blame for the incident and saying Watson would never hit or abuse her. In her statement, Guardino said she had “struggled with alcoholism for many years.”In his Instagram post, Watson said that he and his girlfriend were “engaged in a heated, nonphysical argument” that day. Watson said that both he and his girlfriend had relapsed in their battles with alcoholism during the month leading up to the incident.“I did not cause marks on her chest or blood on her leg,” Watson said. “I did handle matters that day poorly and did not uphold the standards of an employee of the Nashville Predators or National Hockey League.“I take full responsibility for my involvement in the argument and have learned from the situation and taken the necessary steps to ensure that nothing of this nature happens again.”Watson added that he and his girlfriend are “healthy, happy and committed to our own individual sobriety as well as continuing to strengthen our relationship.”“We have learned from our mistakes and are excited to move forward in our relationship,” Watson said. “We wish only to raise our daughter Olivia in the most healthy and loving atmosphere we can provide.” z and Ekman-Larsson also had assists for multi-point games.Ondrej Kase had two goals for the Ducks, who have dropped five straight. Daniel Sprong and Adam Henrique also scored. Nick Ritchie had three assists and John Gibson made 25 saves. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson says the arrest last year that led to his 18-game suspension came when he started drinking again after 23 months of sobriety.Watson, who turns 27 on Sunday, said Friday in an Instagram post that he’s been dealing with anxiety, depression and alcoholism since the age of 18. Watson said he voluntarily entered the NHL’s substance abuse program after his June 16 arrest.“I am currently sober and committed to living a healthy lifestyle so that I can be the father, partner, teammate and person I want to be Cody Eakin Jersey ,” Watson said.Watson pleaded no contest July 24 to domestic assault and agreed to a judicial diversion program that enabled the misdemeanor charge to be dismissed if he served three months of probation and completed an in-patient treatment program and a batterer’s intervention program.He initially received a 27-game suspension from the NHL, but an arbitrator reduced it to 18 games. He was reinstated in mid-November and has six goals and two assists in 28 games this season.Watson was arrested in connection with a June 16 incident after a witness flagged down a police officer to a gas station in Franklin Tennessee. According to the incident report, Watson told police he and his girlfriend were arguing and that he pushed her. Officers said they found red marks on her chest, and she said Watson caused them.Watson’s girlfriend, Jenn Guardino, issued a statement in October taking blame for the incident and saying Watson would never hit or abuse her. In her statement, Guardino said she had “struggled with alcoholism for many years.”In his Instagram post, Watson said that he and his girlfriend were “engaged in a heated, nonphysical argument” that day. Watson said that both he and his girlfriend had relapsed in their battles with alcoholism during the month leading up to the incident.“I did not cause marks on her chest or blood on her leg,” Watson said. “I did handle matters that day poorly and did not uphold the standards of an employee of the Nashville Predators or National Hockey League.“I take full responsibility for my involvement in the argument and have learned from the situation and taken the necessary steps to ensure that nothing of this nature happens again.”Watson added that he and his girlfriend are “healthy, happy and committed to our own individual sobriety as well as continuing to strengthen our relationship.”“We have learned from our mistakes and are excited to move forward in our relationship,” Watson said. “We wish only to raise our daughter Olivia in the most healthy and loving atmosphere we can provide.”
saw some big-time jumps Ryan Callahan Jersey , led by the surging Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche. But were either of them good enough to catch up with the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators?Good news for Los Angeles Kings fans, as their struggling team finally moved out of the last spot. Enjoy this week's power rankings.31. Vancouver Canucks (11-14-3)The Canucks have now lost 10 of their last 11 games. With a handful of injuries and rookie Elias Pettersson cooling down a bit, all things are trending down. At least fans can get excited about another draft lottery?advertising30. Los Angeles Kings (9-16-1)They may have the worst record in the NHL right now, but the Kings are slowly playing better under head coach Willie Desjardins. With the Canucks slumping big time, the Kings are finally knocked out of the 31st spt.29. St. Louis Blues (9-12-3)Sniper Vladimir Tarasenko is hearing his name mentioned in trade rumors now. The Blues look destined to miss the playoffs for a second straight year. The only solution at this point may be to bring back old friend Joel Quenneville behind the bench.28. Philadelphia Flyers (10-12-2)The Flyers blew a 3-1 home lead to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, surrendering three unanswered goals in the final frame. GM Ron Hextall was fired. When will president Paul Holmgren start realizing he needs to bring in better goalies and blueliners?advertising27. Chicago Blackhawks (9-12-5)Can't believe the front office thought that Joel Quenneville was to blame. Maybe recent trade acquisitions Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini can provide a spark? Surrendering Nick Schmaltz is a big-time risk for GM Stan Bowman, though.26. New Jersey Devils (9-11-4)After a 4-0-0 start to the season, New Jersey has fallen apart entirely. Goalie Cory Schneider has lost all five starts and carries a horrible 4.28 goals against average and lackluster .863 save percentage.25. Florida Panthers (10-10-4)Jonathan Huberdeau (26 points), Evgenii Dadonov (24), and Mike Hoffman (23), are having incredible seasons thus far. Five Florida players have at least 20 points, but the goaltending has to be better if this team is to turn it around in the new year.advertising24. Arizona Coyotes (11-11-2)The Coyotes gave up on the once-promising Dylan Strome and dealt him (along with Brendan Perlini), to Chicago for Nick Schmaltz. This team needs to do something offensively, because Clayton Keller's mere 15 points somehow lead the team in scoring.23. Ottawa Senators (11-12-3) Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY SportsGive them credit. The Sens are hanging around in the playoff race after everybody picked them to finish last in the NHL this season. They're among the highest-scoring teams this year. Matt Duchene http://www.officiallightningprostore.com/authentic-adidas-ryan-mcdonagh-jersey , Mark Stone and Thomas Chabot are all enjoying phenomenal starts to the season.22. Pittsburgh Penguins (10-9-5)advertisingSidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can only do so much. Pittsburgh is lacking the secondary scoring and quality goaltending. Might they miss the playoffs for the first time since 2006? It's looking more and more likely by the day.21. Montreal Canadiens (11-9-5)The Habs have now lost five straight games, as Carey Price continues to struggle in the early going. The only things saving this extremely flawed team? Forwards Max Domi (26 points), Jonathan Drouin (20 points), and Tomas Tatar (19 points).20. Carolina Hurricanes (12-9-4)Carolina has cooled down聽quite a bit, but at least Sebastian Aho is enjoying a strong start with 26 points on the season. Can Curtis McElhinney (7-2-1), keep up this hot start? The 'Canes hope so, since their playoff hopes depend on the play in the crease.advertising19. Detroit Red Wings (11-11-3)Amazing. The Red Wings lost seven straight to open the season but have caught fire ever since. Dylan Larkin is reaching superstar status, with nine goals and 21 points in 25 games.18. New York Islanders (12-9-3) Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY SportsThe Isles are cooling down after a surprisingly strong start to the season, going a mere 4-5-1 in their last 10. Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal are enjoying strong starts with 21 points apiece.17. New York Rangers (13-11-2)Wasn't this supposed to be a rebuilding year? Head coach David Quinn should be considered a Jack Adams favorite if they get into the playoffs. New York has been one of the bigger surprises thus far.advertising16. San Jose Sharks (12-9-5)It's not good when Logan Couture is calling the team out by adding they're not a contender. The Sharks look nothing like a team that was expected to compete for the Stanley Cup.15. Vegas Golden Knights (14-12-1)Five straight W's for the defending Western Conference champions. They've won seven of their last 10, thanks to the resurgence of Max Pacioretty, who has 10 goals on the season now after a terrible start.14. Edmonton Oilers (12-11-2)The Oilers have gone 3-1-1 under head coach Ken Hitchcock. The defense has predictably gotten much stronger, and Connor McDavid is doing fine adapting to his new coach's style. Edmonton looks poised to turn things around now.advertising13. Anaheim Ducks (13-10-5)The Ducks completed the Florida sweep and have vaulted themselves right back into postseason contention. But will this injury-filled, ageing team keep it up? Time will tell. John Gibson should be in contention for the Hart Trophy if they squeak into the playoffs.12. Minnesota Wild (14-9-2) Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY SportsThe Wild are coming back to earth a bit, with two straight losses and going just 5-5-0 in their last 10. But the scoring-by-committee has done wonders for a team that many pundits wrote off going into this season.11. Dallas Stars (13-10-3)Jim Montgomery has turned the Stars into a more complete team. They've cleaned it up defensively and don't rely as much on the top line. This could be a darkhorse Stanley Cup contender Womens Steven Stamkos Jersey , folks.advertising10. Winnipeg Jets (14-8-2)The Jets look nowhere close to the team that reached the Western Conference Final last season. And yet, they're in the running for the best record in the NHL. That's a scary thought for the rest of the league. Just wait until goalie Connor Hellebuyck regains his Vezina-like form.9. Calgary Flames (15-9-2)David Rittich has been solid between the pipes, and it has the Flames in the running for a Pacific Division title. Given the struggles of their divisional foes, Calgary looks like the team to beat in that division.8. Boston Bruins (14-7-4)The Bruins are 6-2-2 over their last 10 games. Head coach Bruce Cassidy deserves all the credit in the world for keeping this team together as injuries pile up. David Pastrnak is in the running for the 'Rocket' Richard Trophy, too.advertising7. Columbus Blue Jackets (15-8-2)The Blue Jackets are flying under the radar, which obviously won't bother head coach John Tortorella. The Metropolitan Division will likely between the Jackets and Washington Capitals all season long. Enjoy the race.6. Washington Capitals (15-7-3)Seven wins in a row for the defending Stanley Cup champions. To make matters better, the Islanders, Flyers and Penguins are all struggling big-time. The only "downside" is tht Alexander Ovechkin probably won't be catching Patrik Laine for the 'Rocket Richard' Trophy.5. Colorado Avalanche (15-6-5)How many teams win by three goals when Sidney Crosby drops a hat trick on you? The Avalanche did it on Thursday. Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon have formed the best duo in hockey. Things are only trending up in the Mile High City.advertising4. Toronto Maple Leafs (18-8-0)The only downside to this impressive season for Toronto? The other two best teams in the NHL just happen to reside in the Atlantic Division. Auston Matthews is healthy again, so the Leafs have the chance to catch up to No. 2 and 1 on our list...3. Nashville Predators (17-8-1)In a stacked Central Division, the Predators have asserted themselves as the team to beat. Filip Forsberg leads the team in scoring with 22 points, while center Ryan Johansen has 21. Another聽promising season in the Music City.2. Buffalo Sabres (17-7-3)Unbelievable! A 10-game win streak for the Sabres, which ended on Thursday. But there's no shame in losing on the road to the Tampa Bay Lightning. We have every reason to believe that the times are changing in Buffalo.1. Tampa Bay Lightning (18-7-1) Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsSo it was the Lightning who managed to snap the Buffalo Sabres' 10-game winning streak. That was enough to propel them to No. 1 this week. Shout out to backup Louis Domingue for filling in nicely while Andrei Vasilevskiy recovers from a broken foot. WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Connor Hellebuyck was proud to know a list of NHL records will now include his name.Andrew Copp scored twice and Hellebuyck set an NHL record for most wins in a season by an American goaltender as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Saturday night.The 24-year-old Commerce, Michigan Tyler Johnson Jersey , goalie made 30 saves to pick up his 44th win (44-11-9), surpassing Tom Barrasso’s 1992-93 run with the Pittsburgh Penguins.”To be in the history books is something that I’m always going to look back and be proud of,” Hellebuyck said. ”The fact that this locker room has come together, playing the way we’re playing, now the city is behind us the way they are, it’s a fun time being in Winnipeg.”Hellebuyck also tied the NHL record for most wins at home by a goaltender in a single season with 30. Wayne Stephenson of the 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers had the same mark.The victims and survivors of the fatal bus accident Friday involving Saskatchewan’s Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team were honored before the game.Standing together in a circle at center ice, Jets and Blackhawks players wore jerseys with the word ”BRONCOS” on the back of them in place of their own names as there was a moment of silence and then the anthems.”It was a very somber mood on the ice, kind of one of those things where it could have been any one of us,” Copp said.”You kind of count your blessings. You kind of look to the guy to your left and right, they’re not usual teammates or brothers, but you feel that sense of camaraderie and community with them.”Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Connor also scored for the Jets (52-20-10), who have won five straight and a franchise-record nine in a row at Bell MTS Place.Winnipeg opens the NHL playoffs next week at home against the Minnesota Wild.Jeff Glass stopped 35 shots for the Blackhawks (33-39-10), who didn’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08.Brent Seabrook scored Chicago’s goal.”I’ve said (to the media) a million times, I think it’s the best part of the season coming up here.” Seabrook said. ”To not be a part of it Victor Hedman Jersey , not playing any meaningful games for us down the stretch, it’s been tough.”Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp got a standing ovation in the third period after the announcer told the crowd the 36-year-old is retiring after 14 NHL seasons, 11 with Chicago.”Being born in Winnipeg and then hearing the ovation from the crowd, seeing the other team tap their sticks and clap their hands, that hit hard and I’m just thankful for it, grateful for it,” Sharp said.Winnipeg had mounted a 4-0 lead by early in the second period.Byfuglien began the run when he scored 13 seconds into a two-man advantage with a high blast from the point at 15:12 of the first period.Connor beat Glass on a breakaway 34 seconds into the second. It was his 31st goal of the season, which leads all NHL rookies.Copp put in his eighth and ninth of the season, the second a short-handed goal, to make it 4-0 at 6:35.Seabrook stopped the shutout with a screened shot at 9:08 of the second.The Jets, who relocated from Atlanta in 2011, also set franchise records for wins (52), points (114) and home wins (21).UP NEXTBlackhawks: season over.Jets: face Minnesota in the first round of playoffs.—
Sidney Crosby tormented the Flyers just as he has from the start of his NHL career. Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin were clutch when needed in pivotal games. And Matt Murray? Oh Youth Brandon Carlo Jersey , just two shutouts and the type of outings that show more zeros on the board are possible in the second round – and maybe, beyond.But with the game on the line and facing a Game 7 on home ice where they already lost twice, the Pittsburgh Penguins turned to a blossoming postseason star to lead the way.Jake Guentzel was just the player to bail out the Pens.He scored the tying and go-ahead goals in Game 6, then scored two more – all four in succession – to put the game away and lift the Penguins to an 8-5 Game 6 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.The Flyers are headed home, as usual, with a Stanley Cup drought that dates to 1975.The Penguins are nestled in a familiar spot, in the second round for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.But a bigger prize looms for the Penguins – a third straight Stanley Cup. The Penguins have won nine straight playoff series, which ties a franchise record and are the most in the NHL since the Detroit Red Wings also won nine from 1997 to 1999.The New York Islanders are the last team to win 10 straight, in fact, they won 19 consecutive postseason series (1980 to 1984) that included four Stanley Cup championships.Now comes the hard part.Pittsburgh has reached the same round as the last three teams going for a threepeat (1989 Oilers, 1993 Penguins, 1999 Red Wings) – and all three lost in the second round.The Penguins say, bring it on.”Things are never going to always go your way, especially in the playoffs,” Murray said. ”We got the job done. This time of year, it doesn’t matter how, it just matters that you get the win.”Crosby had a hat trick in Game 1 and matched a postseason-high with four points in a Game 3 win in the Philadelphia arena where fans stuck his photo on the inside of urinals.He shook it off – as if he was ever bothered by the activity – and scored six goals and had 13 points in the series.”Sid loves to compete. When he goes to hostile environments, he’s at his best,” coach Mike Sullivan said. ”He’s a high-stakes player. He has `it’. `It’ is what helps you perform in those big moments. It’s hard to explain `it’. You know `it’ when you see it. Sid is one of those guys.”Crosby has been the dominant and reliable Penguin over the course of a career that includes three Stanley Cups. But this season brought new challenges to the franchise.The Penguins have crafted a new identity after the departures of Chris Kunitz, Marc-Andre Fleury, Nick Bonino Womens Charlie McAvoy Jersey , Trevor Daley and Matt Cullen, all vital pieces of Pittsburgh’s 2016 and 2017 titles.”I think we have a bunch of capable guys that can play for us here. It’s kind of the next man up and the guys did a great job,” Guentzel said.Sure, four goals is a bit ridiculous, but Guentzel will need to be a key contributor again especially if Malkin isn’t ready to go.Malkin, who scored three goals in five games, sat out Game 6 with a leg injury. He missed the final four minutes of the first period in Game 5 after Philadelphia’s Jori Lehtera fell on it when the two got tangled in the corner. Malkin returned to start the second period. But he was hurt to the point where he sat out Game 6, and all it takes is one nagging injury to slow down the road toward completing the Stanley Cup trilogy.If he plays or not, there are still enough playoff-tested Penguins to keep them rolling.”We’ve been through a number of these elimination games over the last couple of years so it’s not a surprise to any of us,” Sullivan said. ”My hope moving forward is we can learn from those experiences and hopefully we have better success.”— ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Once the rough stuff was out of the way, the Calgary Flames settled in and clamped down on the Minnesota Wild.The surprise leaders of the Pacific Division, the Flames have proven this season to be feisty and flexible.Matthew Tkachuk scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period, backup goalie David Rittich made 34 saves, and the Flames hung on to beat the Wild 2-1 on Saturday.“It is a good feeling when you go into a game knowing that if you play your way, you can win a game 9-6 and 2-1,” Tkachuk said.Mark Giordano scored short-handed in the first period for the Pacific Division-leading Flames, who are 11-2-1 in their last 14 games, with 10 victories in regulation. During this stretch, they’ve won 7-2, 6-3 Danton Heinen Jersey Kids , 6-1, 9-6 and 6-5. They’ve also recently earned 3-2, 2-0 and now 2-1 decisions.“If we need goals we can get them, but more nights than not we want to play tight checking defensively and create our offense that way,” Giordano said. “We know we can do it.”Jordan Greenway’s second-period goal was all the Wild were able to muster after winning their previous two games against Montreal and Florida by a combined 12-2 margin. They went on a power play with 2:36 left and pulled goalie Devan Dubnyk a few seconds later, but they failed to use the two-man advantage to forge a tie.With 11:15 remaining, after a turnover by Joel Eriksson Ek set up a rush for the Flames and James Neal’s pass hit a skate and slid backward, Tkachuk snapped the puck through traffic and past Dubnyk’s stick for the lead. Tkachuk is third with 14 goals this season for the Flames, who lead the NHL with 50 third-period goals and a plus-26 differential in the final frame.“They’ve got a great team over there. Very fast, quick in transition, high skill,” Greenway said. “So it’s not an easy job.”Rittich filled for Mike Smith, who was sidelined by an undisclosed injury.“We’re fortunate to have two guys we can call upon,” coach Bill Peters said.Nine days after the Flames beat the Wild 2-0 in a tension-filled game in Calgary, both sides brought their grudges to the ice along with their sticks and skates. Forty seconds after the opening faceoff, Tkachuk fought Minnesota’s Matt Dumba, who leveled Flames center Mikael Backlund with an open-ice check in the final minute of the matchup on Dec. 6, when Dumba was retaliating for a knee-on-knee hit Wild captain Mikko Koivu took from Giordano earlier in that game.“It’s good when you see guys standing up for one another, standing up for themselves,” Dubnyk said. “We don’t have a bunch of fighters in here, but we have guys that can take care of themselves.”Giordano served a two-game suspension. Flames forward Ryan Lomberg was banned for one game for going after Dumba http://www.officialbruinsproonline.com/authentic-adidas-david-krejci-jersey , which also triggered an automatic $10,000 fine for Peters. Koivu (lower body) and Backlund (upper body) each missed their fourth straight game.Dumba, who leads NHL defensemen with 12 goals, didn’t play in the last two periods. Coach Bruce Boudreau had no update afterward on his condition. After Dumba’s power-play shot was blocked, the Flames went the other way for a 2-on-1 rush that set up the goal by Giordano .Shortly before the first intermission, Wild forward J.T. Brown fought with Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie. A little later, Wild defenseman Ryan Suter even dropped his gloves for a scuffle with Flames forward Sam Bennett. That was Suter’s first fight, according to hockeyfights.com , since 2009.The Wild have let their opponent score first in 22 of 32 games this season. They climbed right back in this one after killing a 5-on-3 power play, when Greenway pivoted from the top of the right circle and sniped the puck past Rittich 3:30 into the second period.“It was just a pretty tight-checking game all the way through, after things settled down,” Wild left wing Zach Parise said. “We had a couple good looks and a couple odd-man rushes. We just couldn’t get that second one.”NOTESGiordano became the first defenseman in Flames franchise history to score a short-handed goal in consecutive games. He has two goals and seven assists in his last four games. … The Wild were also missing LW Jason Zucker, scratched because of an illness. This was his first absence since April 4, 2017. … Dubnyk stopped 24 shots. … The Flames are 16-2 this season when scoring first. … The Wild faced all seven Canadian teams, including the Flames twice, over their last 11 games. They went 3-5 against the north-of-the-border clubs.UP NEXTFlames: Play at St. Louis on Sunday, the second stop on a three-game trip. Peters said Backlund and Smith would likely be available to face the Blues.Wild: Host San Jose on Tuesday night to wrap up a four-game homestand. Boudreau said Koivu would be back to play the Sharks.
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